High-performance at Low Cost: the Challenge Manufacturing Frequency Doubled Green Semiconductor Lasers for Mass Markets

Laser projection arising as a new application in the consumer market has been the driving force for OSRAM Opto Semiconductors to develop a frequency doubled semiconductor laser and the production technology necessary to make the complexity of an advanced laser system affordable. Optically pumped frequency doubled semiconductor lasers provide an ideal platform to serve the laser projection application. Based on this scalable technology, we developed a 50 mW green laser comprising all the properties that can be expected from a high performance laser: Excellent beam quality and low noise, high speed modulation, good efficiency and long life time. More than that, the package is very compact (<0.4 cm3) and may be operated passively cooled at up to 60°C. Managing lasing wavelength and controlling phase matching conditions have been major design considerations. We will describe the key characteristics of the green laser, and will also present results from reliability testing and production monitoring.