Lithium Waveguide VCSEL Assembly for Compact RGB Frequency Doubling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current compact RGB laser solutions, particularly based on LED sources, suffer from limited color gamut, poor beam quality, and low modulation bandwidth, making them unsuitable for medical applications and displays. Additionally, existing RGB laser technologies are larger in size and less reliable compared to VCSELs.
Innovation Solution
The semiconductor laser assembly incorporates an array of surface emitting lasers, such as VCSELs or PCSELs, coupled with a lithium-based optical waveguide, which can be made of lithium niobate or lithium tantalate. This assembly includes electrical contacts for biasing and an optical waveguide that utilizes non-linear optical properties for frequency doubling, enabling the generation of RGB light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If LED sources are used for compact RGB solutions, then device size is reduced, but beam quality deteriorates and color gamut is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines VCSEL arrays with planar optical waveguides in a hybrid integrated structure. The VCSELs provide high-quality laser beams while the planar waveguide integrates multiple functions (beam combining, wavelength conversion, polarization control) into a compact planar format, achieving both small size and high beam quality
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite material structures including InP-based VCSELs bonded to InGaAsP waveguides, and integrates multiple materials (semiconductors, polymers, metals) in layered configurations to achieve compact form factor while maintaining superior optical properties and beam quality
2Reliability
If traditional RGB laser technologies are used, then beam quality is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential laser generation function to separate VCSEL sources, then integrates only the necessary optical functions (beam combining, wavelength conversion, polarization control) into planar waveguide structures. This separation allows high beam quality from VCSELs while achieving compact size through integrated planar optics
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from three-dimensional bulk optical components to two-dimensional planar waveguide structures. Multiple optical functions are integrated in the planar dimension, dramatically reducing device volume while maintaining beam quality through the preserved VCSEL sources
3Ease of manufacture
If LED sources are used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but modulation bandwidth deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges VCSEL arrays with planar optical waveguides in a hybrid integrated structure that can be manufactured using established semiconductor fabrication techniques. The planar format enables scalable manufacturing while the VCSEL sources provide high modulation bandwidth capability
4Volume of moving object
If LED sources are used, then device compactness is improved, but color gamut deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic poling of the optical waveguide to enable efficient wavelength conversion through second harmonic generation. By changing the poling period and orientation, different visible wavelengths (red, green, blue) are generated from infrared VCSEL sources, achieving wide color gamut in a compact device
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
This solution provides a compact, high-volume manufacturable RGB laser source with improved beam quality, wider color gamut, and higher modulation bandwidth, making it suitable for medical applications, displays, and other uses requiring white light, such as headlights.
Implementation Method 1
an optical waveguide that utilizes non-linear optical properties for frequency doubling, enabling the generation of RGB light
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor laser assembly includes an array of surface emitting lasers having a light emitting surface and an opposing surface; at least one electrical contact electrically connected to provide to the array of surface emitting lasers an electrical bias from an external electrical source; and an optical waveguide over the light emitting surface. The optical waveguide includes lithium.