Semiconductor Laser Light Source with Light-Diffusing Sub-Region
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional semiconductor laser light sources experience deviations in the far field from the Gaussian beam profile, leading to inadequate reproduction characteristics and instability in output power.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor laser light source with a semiconductor body containing a semiconductor layer stack and a light-diffusing sub-region that directs a portion of the electromagnetic radiation away from the decoupling surface, reducing higher-order laser modes and maintaining a high beam quality by diffusing undesired radiation, thereby allowing for stable operation and efficient power output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional semiconductor laser light sources are used, then laser radiation is emitted, but deviations from Gaussian beam profile occur leading to inadequate reproduction characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes harmful higher-order laser modes and parasitic radiation from the optical output by introducing light-diffusing sub-regions that selectively scatter unwanted radiation while allowing the fundamental Gaussian mode to pass through unchanged, thereby improving beam profile quality and reproduction characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The light-diffusing sub-regions act as intermediary elements between the semiconductor active layer and the output facet, selectively interacting with different modes of radiation to diffuse harmful higher-order modes while leaving the useful fundamental mode intact, thus resolving the beam profile deviation issue
2Power
If conventional semiconductor laser light sources are used, then laser operation is achieved, but output power stability is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using a portion of the emitted laser radiation to optically pump a gain medium, which generates feedback radiation that is directed back to the semiconductor laser, stabilizing the output power through optical feedback control and enabling stable continuous operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous operation by maintaining the laser in a steady-state regime where the pump power, lasing action, and feedback mechanism work continuously together, preventing interruptions and ensuring stable output power delivery
3Measurement precision
If mirror-coating of transverse lateral surface is maintained, then laser resonance is achieved, but measurement of coherent radiation intensity is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the radiation into different spatial directions by using light-diffusing sub-regions to redirect a portion of the coherent radiation at specific angles, creating separate measurement paths that allow intensity measurement without compromising the mirror-coating's resonator function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a spatial dimension to the measurement process by extracting radiation at oblique angles from the main beam path, allowing intensity measurement in a different spatial dimension while maintaining the original resonator structure and mirror-coating
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 semiconductor laser light source achieves a high beam quality with minimal deviation from a Gaussian beam profile, reducing side peaks and waves, and maintaining typical laser characteristics like lasing threshold and slope, while also allowing for the measurement of coherent radiation intensity without lowering the mirror-coating of the transverse lateral surface.
Implementation Method 1
a light-diffusing sub-region which is provided for directing a portion of the electromagnetic radiation in a direction towards a further external surface of the semiconductor body
Implementation Method 2
The semiconductor layer stack is formed for generating an electromagnetic radiation which comprises a coherent portion. For example, the semiconductor laser light source, preferably the semiconductor body, contains a resonator for this purpose. In particular, the coherent portion of the electromagnetic radiation is laser radiation
Implementation Method 3
The semiconductor body comprises a decoupling surface, sometimes also called a 'facet', which is inclined towards the active layer, in particular is perpendicular to the active layer
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor laser light source comprising an edge-emitting semiconductor body (10) is provided. The semiconductor body (10) contains a semiconductor layer stack (110) having an n-type layer (111), an active layer (112) and a p-type layer (113) which is formed for generating electromagnetic radiation which comprises a coherent portion (21). The semiconductor laser light source is formed for decoupling the coherent portion (21) of the electromagnetic radiation from a decoupling surface (101) of the semiconductor body (10) which is inclined with respect to the active layer (112). The semiconductor body (10) comprises a further external surface (102A, 102B, 102C) which is inclined with respect to the decoupling surface (101) and has at least one light-diffusing sub-region (12, 12A, 12B, 12C, 120A, 120B) which is provided in order to direct a portion of the electromagnetic radiation generated by the semiconductor layer stack (110) in the direction towards the further external surface (102A, 102B, 102C).