Laser diodes ideal for micro-projectors

Osram Opto Semiconductors has developed an optimised TO38 package, which it says makes the blue diode one of the smallest in its class.

The company said the move brings the industry a step closer to a vision of micro-projectors that can be integrated into mobile devices such as mobile phones and digital cameras.

Osram's blue laser diode has a wavelength of 450nm, output of 50mW and voltage of 5.5V.

It has all the important attributes required for micro-projectors, such as small size (3.2mm height), high efficiency (0.9W/A) and good blue light visibility.

As a ridge laser it also has high beam quality and therefore needs only relatively simple small optics to shape the beam.

Osram Opto Semiconductors is also developing red and green lasers for laser projection.

The red laser, like the blue laser, will be designed as a direct semiconductor laser, while green lasers will be implemented using frequency doubling technique.

Lasers are the ideal choice as light sources for these micro-projectors, which convert the mobile devices into high-performance multifunctional devices that can record images and present them in razor-sharp detail.

Mobile devices currently available on the market can produce and download high-quality photos and video clips.

Integrated laser projectors will enable these devices to project this content in high quality on almost any surface.

Laser projection represents the next milestone in the development of mobile devices and has a promising future in terms of integrated projection modules.

End-users will appreciate the low power requirements and compact dimensions offered by laser-based projection units.

Lasers also offer vibrant colours, high contrast and always produce sharp images irrespective of the distance over which the images are projected.

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