Optoelectronic Component Green Laser Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional semiconductor laser diodes based on nitride compound semiconductors face efficiency decreases with increasing wavelength, making it difficult to generate radiation in the green spectral range, and existing methods like frequency-doubling using nonlinear optical crystals are costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An optoelectronic component with a semiconductor body having a semiconductor layer sequence that includes a pump region and an emission region, where the pump radiation optically pumps the emission region, allowing for efficient generation of coherent radiation in the green spectral range, with the pump and emission regions arranged one above the other and optically coupled laterally.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional semiconductor laser diodes are used to generate radiation in the green spectral range, then the wavelength coverage is improved, but the radiation generation efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The laser diode is divided into two separate regions: a pump region that generates pump radiation at a shorter wavelength (higher efficiency) and an emission region that generates emission radiation at the desired green wavelength. This segmentation allows each region to operate at optimal wavelengths for their respective functions, resolving the contradiction between wavelength coverage and efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The emission region acts as an intermediary that converts pump radiation from the pump region into emission radiation at the desired green wavelength. This intermediary mechanism enables wavelength conversion while maintaining high efficiency, as the pump region operates at a wavelength where the semiconductor material has high efficiency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If frequency-doubling using nonlinear optical crystals is used to generate green laser radiation, then the green spectral range is covered, but the device complexity and assembly effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pump region and emission region are merged into a single semiconductor body, forming an integrated structure where both regions are epitaxially grown together. This merging eliminates the need for separate nonlinear optical crystals and complex assembly, reducing device complexity while maintaining green spectral range coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The semiconductor body serves multiple functions: it acts as both the pump radiation generator (through the pump region) and the emission radiation generator (through the emission region). This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components like nonlinear optical crystals, simplifying the overall device structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If frequency-doubling using nonlinear optical crystals is used to generate green laser radiation, then the green spectral range is covered, but the conversion efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the laser diode into pump and emission regions, the system avoids the inherently low conversion efficiency of frequency-doubling processes. Instead, the emission region directly generates green radiation through electroluminescence or light amplification, achieving much higher conversion efficiency while still covering the green spectral range.
4Use of energy by moving object
If the pump region and emission region are arranged one above the other in a vertical configuration, then the optical coupling is improved, but the lateral radiation extraction becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The emission radiation is extracted laterally from the semiconductor body through specifically designed output surfaces. This extraction approach separates the vertical optical coupling (for efficient energy transfer) from the lateral radiation output (for practical application), resolving the contradiction between coupling efficiency and ease of manufacture.
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 configuration enables efficient generation of coherent radiation in the green spectral range without the need for nonlinear optical crystals, reducing costs and improving conversion efficiency, while maintaining a compact design.
Implementation Method 1
The pump radiation optically pumps the emission region during operation of the optoelectronic component
Implementation Method 2
The cladding layers further preferably each have a refractive index that is lower than that of the semiconductor layers, which are each arranged on the side of the cladding layers facing the pumping region and the emission region. The cladding layers can thus effect simultaneous transverse wave guidance of the pump radiation and the emission radiation.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4
AI summary
An optoelectronic component (1) is specified, comprising a semiconductor body (2) having a semiconductor layer sequence. The semiconductor layer sequence of the semiconductor body (2) has a pump region (3) provided for generating a pump radiation, and an emission region (4) provided for generating an emission radiation. The emission region (4) and the pump region (3) are arranged one above the other. The pump radiation optically pumps the emission region (4) during the operation of the optoelectronic component (1). The emission radiation emerges in a lateral direction from the semiconductor body (2) having the semiconductor layer sequence during the operation of the optoelectronic component (1).