Oblique Laser Emission via Diffractive Optical Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Semiconductor lasers typically emit radiation perpendicular or parallel to their mounting surface, making it difficult to achieve oblique emission, which is desirable for compact and eye-safe applications.
Innovation Solution
A laser component featuring a surface-emitting semiconductor laser with a diffractive optical element that widens the radiation and a refractive optical element that tilts the emission axis, allowing for oblique emission without requiring additional downstream optical elements for eye-safety, and a method for producing such components by integrating optical elements during the singulation process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a semiconductor laser emits radiation perpendicular or parallel to the mounting surface, then the emission structure is simple and compact, but oblique emission cannot be achieved which is required for eye-safe applications
Solution Approach 1:
A diffractive optical element is introduced as an intermediary component between the semiconductor laser and the surrounding environment. This element diffracts the perpendicular radiation from the laser into multiple oblique beams, enabling eye-safe emission without requiring the laser itself to be structurally complex or oriented obliquely.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of mechanically orienting the laser chip obliquely or using complex mirror systems to achieve oblique emission, the patent uses a diffractive optical element that achieves the same effect through optical diffraction. This substitutes mechanical complexity with an optical solution that maintains compactness while enabling oblique emission patterns.
2Stress or pressure
If additional downstream optical elements are added to achieve oblique emission and eye-safety, then oblique emission is achieved, but the device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The diffractive optical element is integrated directly with the semiconductor laser structure, merging the laser chip and optical element into a single compact unit. This eliminates the need for separate downstream optical elements and reduces the overall device volume while maintaining eye-safe oblique emission capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffractive optical element is positioned and integrated within or directly on the semiconductor laser structure, nesting the optical functionality within the laser assembly. This nested arrangement minimizes the overall device footprint while achieving the required oblique emission pattern for eye safety.
3Ease of operation
If the semiconductor laser is oriented obliquely to achieve oblique emission, then oblique emission is achieved, but the mounting structure becomes complex and the active zone orientation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of orienting the laser chip obliquely to achieve oblique emission, the patent inverts the approach by keeping the laser chip perpendicular and using a diffractive optical element to create the oblique emission pattern. This inversion simplifies the mounting structure while achieving the desired emission direction.
Solution Approach 2:
A diffractive optical element serves as an intermediary that converts the perpendicular radiation from the simply-mounted laser chip into oblique beams. This mediator enables easy perpendicular mounting while achieving the operational requirement of oblique emission for illuminating user faces.
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 efficient, compact, and eye-safe oblique emission of electromagnetic radiation, improving illumination efficiency and reducing the risk of eye exposure, particularly suitable for devices like mobile phones where the laser component can illuminate the user's face without needing to be oriented obliquely.
Implementation Method 1
The diffractive structure is configured to affect the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the semiconductor laser by means of diffraction
Implementation Method 2
The further optical element is, for example, a refractive element. A refractive element is based on refraction at interfaces between materials having different refractive indices.
Data Source
AI summary
A laser component is provided which comprises: a surface emitting semiconductor laser configured to emit electromagnetic radiation along an emission axis, an optical element disposed downstream of the semiconductor laser along the emission axis, wherein the optical element comprises a diffractive structure, and a further optical element configured to cause radiation to be emitted asymmetrically with respect to the emission axis. Furthermore, the use of a laser component, a device having a laser component and a method for the production of laser components are provided.