Multi-Laser Optical Module With Support Member for Heat Dissipation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light bulbs dissipate most energy as thermal energy, fail due to thermal expansion, emit light over a broad spectrum, and lack directionality, while existing blue and green lasers are inefficient, large, expensive, fragile, and difficult to modulate at high speeds.
Innovation Solution
Utilize nonpolar or semipolar gallium-containing substrates like GaN, AlN, InN, InGaN, and AlGaN to create laser devices that emit blue and green light efficiently, with a support member to transport thermal energy to a heat sink, and a combiner to enhance polarization purity and output power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional light bulbs are used for lighting applications, then they provide omnidirectional light emission, but they dissipate more than 90% of energy as thermal energy and lack directionality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the useful portion of light emission by using optical elements to guide and direct laser light through specific paths, eliminating the omnidirectional waste and concentrating energy in useful directions for displays and optical storage applications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical elements such as waveguides, gratings, and lenses as intermediaries between the laser source and the target application, which efficiently couple and direct the light while minimizing thermal energy loss
2Reliability
If conventional light bulbs are used, then they provide broad spectrum light emission, but they fail routinely due to thermal expansion and contraction of the filament element
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters by using laser diodes operated below their damage threshold, maintaining temperatures that prevent thermal expansion failures while still achieving useful light output for the application
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite structures including semiconductor laser diodes with specific material compositions and optical elements designed to handle thermal loads without the thermal expansion problems of conventional filament bulbs
3Speed
If lamp pumped solid state lasers are used for blue and green wavelengths, then they produce highly directional and focusable light, but they are inefficient, large, expensive, and fragile
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses multiple lower-power laser diodes operating at different wavelengths that are optically combined to produce the equivalent effect of a single high-power blue or green laser, avoiding the need for large, expensive lamp-pumped solid state laser systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple laser diode outputs at different wavelengths using optical combining techniques to achieve the desired blue or green light output, creating a compact and cost-effective system that maintains directional control
4Reliability
If diode pumped solid state lasers with SHG are used, then they improve efficiency and extend life, but they require precise temperature controls and have substantial size and power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses laser diodes operated below their maximum power rating and damage threshold, which reduces thermal stress and extends life without requiring complex temperature control systems, achieving sufficient output for the application
5Ease of manufacture
If conventional c-plane GaN based laser diodes are used for blue and green wavelengths, then they are available commercially, but they exhibit rapid degradation when directly coupled to optical fibers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the local quality of the laser diode by using nonpolar or semipolar oriented GaN crystals instead of conventional c-plane orientation, which fundamentally alters the emission characteristics to prevent rapid degradation when coupled to optical fibers
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
Achieves high power, cost-effective, and directionally focused blue and green laser emission with improved reliability and modulation capabilities, suitable for various applications including lighting, displays, and optical data storage.
Implementation Method 1
The support member is configured to transport thermal energy from the plurality of laser diode devices to a heat sink
Implementation Method 2
a combiner to enhance polarization purity and output power
Implementation Method 3
Each of the laser device is capable of an emission of a laser beam
Implementation Method 4
laser devices that emit blue and green light efficiently
Data Source
AI summary
A method and device for emitting electromagnetic radiation at high power using nonpolar or semipolar gallium containing substrates such as GaN, AlN, InN, InGaN, AlGaN, and AlInGaN, is provided. In various embodiments, the laser device includes plural laser emitters emitting green or blue laser light, integrated a substrate.