Nichia and Sony develop dual wavelength coupler
Collaboration between Nichia and Sony has led to the development of a wholly integrated, dual wavelength coupler compatible with DVD and Blu-ray formats.
The coupler, which will be mass produced by the end of 2005, is a single integrated device containing a red laser (660 nm) for DVD playback and a blue-violet laser (405 nm) for blue-violet optical disc playback.
Today s combined DVD and blue-violet laser optical disc systems contain separate laser diodes and optical receivers for each wavelength. Nichia and Sony s coupler instead incorporates these two separate functions into a single element, forming a simplified system with a smaller size and enhanced reliability.
Sony and Nichia s co-development of GaN laser diodes began over two years ago (see related story), and led to a cross licensing agreement in April 2004. The partnership plans a portfolio of laser-related devices that includes the blue-violet laser diode.
