Coherent launches 18W 800nm laser diode
Photonics company Coherent has launched the SES18-880A-190-10, a high-power 880 nm single-emitter laser diode on sub mount, designed specifically for high-efficiency, high-reliability pumping of diode-pumped solid-state (DPSS) lasers.
Delivering 18 W optical output power with over 62 percent conversion efficiency and 97 percent polarisation extinction ratio, the SES18-880A-190-10 is described as setting a new benchmark for DPSS pump lasers in terms of performance, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.
The device, which has a 190 µm emitter, is said to be ideal for precision applications requiring excellent beam quality and scalable power.
“The DPSS laser market is evolving rapidly, with demand growing in micromachining, advanced packaging, and semiconductor processing,” said Karlheinz Gulden, SVP, Laser Components and Subsystems at Coherent. “This new diode allows customers to realise the full benefits of 880 nm pumping—delivering lower quantum defects, reduced thermal lensing, and enhanced mode quality compared to traditional 808 nm solutions.”
Built on the 6-inch GaAs wafer platform from Coherent, the SES18-880A-190-10 benefits from fully vertically integrated manufacturing—from epitaxial wafer growth to chip design and sub mount packaging. Its wavelength range (870–876 nm) and optimised front facet reflectivity are engineered for compatibility with Volume Bragg Grating (VBG) stabilisation, offering precise wavelength control and alignment flexibility.
Variations of the product are available at 878, 885, and 888 nm to support different DPSS gain media. Coherent also offers fibre-coupled modules using the same chip technology, supporting a wide range of integration needs.
