Monolithic Optoelectronic Light Source for High Beam Quality at Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optoelectronic semiconductor components face challenges in achieving high beam quality independently of power, leading to limitations in optical power and image reproduction quality, and require complex and space-consuming designs.
Innovation Solution
An optoelectronic semiconductor component with a primary light source and a secondary light source monolithically integrated, where the primary source generates pump laser radiation through electroluminescence and optically pumps the secondary source via photoluminescence, ensuring a compact design with high beam quality across a wide power range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional optoelectronic semiconductor components are used to increase optical power, then power output is improved, but beam quality deteriorates and image reproduction quality is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the light generation function into two separate sources: a first light source for generating pump radiation and a second light source for generating output radiation. This segmentation allows each source to be optimized independently - the first source can operate at high power while the second source maintains high beam quality, resolving the contradiction between power output and beam quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a pump medium as an intermediary between the first light source and the second light source. The pump medium absorbs radiation from the first source and converts it to pump the second source, enabling efficient energy transfer while maintaining the independence and optimization of each light source for its specific function.
2Power
If complex designs with refracted or split facets are used, then optical power can be increased, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the pump function and the output generation function into a single integrated semiconductor component structure. The first light source, pump medium, and second light source are combined in one device, eliminating the need for separate components and complex optical paths with refracted or split facets, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining high optical power capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements a nested structure where the first light source is positioned to pump the pump medium, which in turn pumps the second light source within the same semiconductor component. This nested arrangement of functional elements allows for compact integration and simplifies the overall device design compared to external pumping systems.
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 enables a compact, high-beam-quality semiconductor component that operates effectively over a wide power range without the need for refracted or split facets, reducing the risk of facet damage and improving coupling efficiency of the pump laser radiation.
Implementation Method 1
In the primary light source, radiation is generated by means of electroluminescence
Implementation Method 2
Radiation generation in the secondary light source is based on photoluminescence
Data Source
AI summary
An optoelectronic semiconductor component is provided that includes a primary light source and a secondary light source. The primary light source and the secondary light source are monolithically integrated in the semiconductor component so that only condensed matter is located between them. The primary light source includes a first resonator containing a semiconductor layer sequence which is electrically pumped during operation. A first resonator axis of the first resonator is oriented parallel to a growth direction (G) of the semiconductor layer sequence. The primary light source is configured to generate pump laser radiation (P). The secondary light source includes a pump medium for generating secondary radiation (S) and the pump medium is optically pumped by the pump laser radiation (P). The first resonator axis points past the pump medium.