BluGlass shows expanded GaN laser portfolio
Enhanced products on show at Laser World of Photonics include new 397nm UV alpha product
BluGlass is showing enhanced GaN laser products at Laser World of Photonics in Munich, Germany. It says these updated GaN lasers feature performance improvements in light emission, power conversion efficiencies, and voltage.
The company’s blue 450nm single-mode and multi-mode devices, for instance, feature significant increases in power conversion efficiencies from those launched at Photonics West, up more than 55 percent and 42 percent respectively. These improvements enable their use in more demanding customer applications, such as quantum computing, robotics and biotechnology.
Customers can inspect BluGlass’ enhanced performance data at Laser World across the 405nm, 420nm and 450nm wavelengths in single-mode and multi-mode devices. BluGlass is also using the conference to launch a new 397nm ultra-violet single-mode alpha product to market. Ultra-violet lasers are increasingly being sought after for quantum sensing applications, advanced disinfection technologies, water and surface purification applications, and medical devices.
BluGlass’ product suite now includes six commercial and three prototype products, and are available in a range of form factors including TO Cans of different sizes, and Chip-on-Submounts.
DFB update
BluGlass, together with its collaboration partner the University of Santa Barbara California (UCSB), has made significant improvements to its GaN Distributed Feedback Laser (DFB) demonstrations using its proprietary RPCVD technology for longer-wavelength devices. The company improved DFB side-mode suppression ratio by more than 50 percent since Photonics West, delivering advanced single frequency performance at 450nm and demonstrating longer-wavelength DFB lasers up to 478nm.
DFB lasers are a highly promising single frequency laser technology commonly utilised in non-visible wavelengths to enable devices that require narrow spectral width and high-spectral purity, such as quantum applications. GaN-based DFB lasers are currently not commercially available in visible wavelengths. BluGlass is releasing an updated GaN DFB white paper at Laser World.
Vertical integration
BluGlass is nearing vertical integration completion with production moved from four out of five contract manufacturers (CMs) into its Silicon Valley fab. The company is now in advanced stages of completing the integration of the final back-side contract manufacturer.
Since acquiring its laser diode fabrication facility in Silicon Valley and commencing operations in July last year, BluGlass has accelerated development and production, mitigated reliability challenges to launch a suite of GaN lasers, advanced long-term roadmaps, and commenced shipping products to customers.
BluGlass CEO Jim Haden said, “Our enhanced GaN laser products are shifting our market position from an emerging alternative supplier to an agile player that is focused on providing high quality and competitive GaN lasers. As a dedicated GaN laser supplier, we are focused on launching innovative products that address gaps in the market whilst also improving the baseline performance of our existing lasers as we strive to meet or exceed competitor benchmarks. This strategy broadens our target customer base while building our reputation as a partner- of-choice in the industry. Performance improvements are a direct result of greater operational control, and we are nearing completion of vertical integration of our front-end contract manufacturers. Given our aggressive improvement curve, we remain confident in our ability to gain market share in a rapidly growing category with very few players and high barriers to entry.”
