Hermetic Sealing Mirror for VECSEL Laser Packaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current packaging solutions for optically pumped laser devices are inefficient, leading to high wall-plug threshold, mechanical instability, and reduced lasing performance due to unnecessary reflections and complex alignment processes, particularly when operating below the dew point.
Innovation Solution
A compact, hermetically sealed container design for a vertical external cavity surface emitting laser (VECSEL) device, where a sealing mirror on the chip serves as both a cavity reflector and a hermetic seal, reducing optical path losses and allowing precise alignment of pump optics outside the sealed package.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hermetic seal is implemented using a separate window or component, then the laser device can operate below dew point without condensation, but the optical path introduces unnecessary reflections and increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the hermetic sealing function with the optical cavity mirror function into a single integrated component. The sealing mirror serves dual purposes: it hermetically seals the container to prevent condensation while simultaneously forming part of the optical cavity to reflect pump and emission beams, eliminating the need for separate sealing windows and reducing optical path reflections
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing mirror is designed as a multi-functional component that performs both sealing and optical reflection tasks. This universal component addresses multiple requirements (hermetic sealing, optical cavity formation, beam reflection) with a single element, simplifying the overall device architecture
2Power
If the laser device operates below dew point for higher output power, then cooling efficiency improves, but water condensation occurs without special measures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a water-free atmosphere inside the hermetically sealed container by excluding moisture through the seal. This inert environment prevents water condensation on cooled surfaces while allowing the laser device to operate at temperatures below the dew point for enhanced output power
3Reliability
If alignment of pump beam and cavity mode spot is performed inside the sealed package, then hermetic sealing is maintained, but alignment precision and efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the alignment of pump optics outside the sealed package before hermetic sealing is completed. This preliminary action allows for precise alignment adjustments in an accessible environment, after which the package can be hermetically sealed to maintain the alignment while protecting the internal components
4Ease of operation
If multiple through-openings are provided for pump beam and emission beam, then optical access is improved, but hermetic sealing becomes more complex and reflections increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sealing function with the optical reflection function in the sealing mirror. By integrating these functions, the design reduces the number of separate sealing components and through-openings needed, simplifying the hermetic sealing structure while maintaining proper optical access for pump and emission beams
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 design enhances wall-plug efficiency, mechanical stability, and lasing performance by minimizing reflections and simplifying alignment, while maintaining low production costs and maintaining semiconductor layers at desired temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling device is provided for cooling the semiconductor layers to a desired temperature
Implementation Method 2
the container is hermetically sealed to maintain a water-free atmosphere inside
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a first container (1) with an internal space (3) for accommodating a vertical external cavity surface emitting laser device (50). Said first container (1) hermetically seals said internal space (3) from an external space (4), wherein said first container (1) has at least one wall with at least one first through-opening (23). Said at least one first through-opening (23) is adapted for passage of an optical pump beam (7) from the external space (4) into the internal space (3), and/or for passage of a laser emission beam (8) from the internal space (3) into the external space (4). Moreover, said at least one first through-opening (23) is hermetically sealed by a sealing mirror (21), wherein said sealing mirror (21) is adapted to form an external cavity (2) of the vertical external cavity surface emitting laser device (50) with a second mirror (22) in the internal space (3). Furthermore, the present invention relates to laser device with such a first container and to an assembly method of the laser device.