Hermetic Edge-Emitter Laser Diode Housing With Wafer Optical Window
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laser diodes with edge emitters are prone to destruction due to photochemical reactions with harmful substances in the environment, and existing designs do not adequately protect them from external factors.
Innovation Solution
A laser diode device with a hermetically sealed housing made from a wafer composite, featuring a transparent optical window and a ceramic substrate for alignment and thermal management, which allows direct transmission of the laser beam and includes a method for testing the tightness and optical function without separate test devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the laser diode is exposed to the external environment, then the device complexity is reduced, but the laser diode is vulnerable to photochemical reactions with harmful substances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies hermetic sealing to create an inert environment inside the housing, isolating the laser diode from harmful external substances. The housing is sealed with a sealing element to prevent contact between the laser diode and external environment, thereby preventing photochemical reactions while maintaining device functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material construction for the housing, combining different materials (such as metal or plastic housing with sealing elements) to achieve both protection and functionality. The housing structure integrates multiple material properties to ensure hermetic sealing while allowing laser beam transmission through transparent windows.
2Reliability
If the housing is hermetically sealed, then the laser diode is protected from harmful substances, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into multiple components (housing body, sealing element, transparent window) that can be manufactured separately and assembled. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function and manufactured using appropriate processes, simplifying the overall manufacturing while achieving hermetic sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element acts as an intermediary component between the housing body and the external environment, providing the hermetic seal function. This intermediary approach allows the housing structure to maintain simplicity while achieving reliable sealing through a dedicated sealing component.
3Productivity
If the laser beam path is optimized for direct transmission, then the optical function is improved, but the alignment precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The laser diode is pre-aligned with the transparent window during the assembly process, establishing the correct optical path before final housing assembly. This preliminary alignment action ensures optimal beam transmission while reducing the alignment precision requirements during final assembly, as the critical alignment has already been established.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively shields the laser diode from external environments, ensuring hermetic sealing and allowing for direct beam transmission while enabling integrated testing of optical functions, thus enhancing production efficiency and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
The transparent optical window is developed to transmit at least one laser beam generated by the laser diode into the external environment
Implementation Method 2
The fastening element is preferably developed as a ceramic substrate. The laser diode is soldered to the electrically insulating ceramic substrate featuring a satisfactory thermal conductivity
Implementation Method 3
The laser diode is soldered to the electrically insulating ceramic substrate featuring a satisfactory thermal conductivity. The ceramic is in turn soldered to the housing base
Data Source
AI summary
A laser diode device including at least one laser diode. The laser diode is an edge emitter. The laser diode device includes a housing having a transparent optical window, the transparent optical window being embodied as a first side wall of the housing. The housing is designed to shield the laser diode from an external environment of the laser diode device, in particular hermetically. The transparent optical window is designed to transmit at least one laser beam generated by the laser diode into the external environment. The laser diode is at least indirectly fastened to a base of the housing. The side walls of the housing and a housing cover situated opposite the housing base are produced from a multiplicity of wafers, in particular at least three.