BluGlass reports progress on laser diodes
Improvements to the optical facet and metallisation are now in the post epitaxy production steps
Australian semiconductor developer BluGlass has provided an update on its ongoing laser diode commercialisation with Iterations including single-mode and multi-mode products in 405nm, 420nm and 450nm wavelengths.
The company is focused on improving reliability and has several iterations progressing through the manufacturing supply chain. Since June, the company has conducted extensive failure analysis and burn-in- testing of multiple development iterations.
Alongside addressing flaws in the optical facet, BluGlass has also been improving metallisation of the laser diode prototypes. Metallisation is critical to laser diode development as it controls the input of electrical current into the laser as well as the removal of heat from the device. BluGlass is using analytical techniques to focus on failure modes to determine which components and processes within the manufacturing supply chain are causing issues.
Both the optical facet and metallisation are in the post epitaxy production steps, which are currently outsourced to third-party manufacturing suppliers.
BluGlass has progressed four legacy iterations to completion that were in the manufacturing pipeline before June 2021. These development efforts have resulted in improved manufacturing processes being implemented at all steps of the supply chain, with a strong focus on improvements to BluGlass’ front-end and back-end fabrication steps, and facet coating designs.
BluGlass has implemented two new design iterations following this extensive analysis and new process implementations. Testing of BluGlass’ first iterations of new laser diodes, which feature new metalisation and optical facet improvements, will commence in the coming weeks.
The company is focusing on eliminating variation between manufacturing suppliers, ensuring process and product repeatability - key steps for supply chain readiness ahead of commercial manufacturing.
Jim Haden, BluGlass President, said: “Laser diodes are complex technology and while frustrating, reliability challenges are common within the industry. I have personally experienced and solved many of these development pitfalls for other companies over the past few decades. There are four elements that are key to producing optimal laser diodes: high gain, low loss epitaxy; low resistance metallisation; low loss, passivating facets; and mechanically sound thermal management for packaging. Early prototype testing reassures us that our epitaxy is performing in line with expectations. Alongside our third-party fabrication specialists, the team is focused on optimising the other three key elements and ultimately solving the primary cause of our reliability challenges.”
BluGlass President Jim Haden will provide an update on laser diode development at the company’s Annual General Meeting in November.
