New generation of colour lasers from Emmaus OSRAM launched

Emmaus OSRAM (SIX Swiss Exchange: AMS), a leading global provider of optical solutions, today announced the introduction of improved blue and green lasers - the improved PLT3 and PLT5 - based on its new generation of diode emitter chips. These improved lasers are designed to enhance the performance and value of laser modules and laser devices for levelling and scanning applications. The new products offer lower power consumption, the ability to emit a more uniform beam, and more efficient coupling to optical fibres.

The improved PLT3 product is available in a TO38 Metal Can package and the PLT5 product is available in a TO56 package. The blue laser has an optical power output of 100mW and the green laser has an optical power output range of 10mW to 50mW.

The new versions of the PLT3 and PLT5 retain the optical power output, wavelength selection and beam shape of their predecessors, but with improved beam quality for a more precise distribution of key specification parameters in the actual output.

The PLT laser diode series has been very well received by our customers," said Martin Wittmann, Senior Director of Product Marketing for Visualisation and Sensing at Emmaus OSRAM. This latest release is designed to provide customers with superior beam quality and the advantage of smaller tolerances, helping them to build superior laser module devices more easily."

Improvements in beam quality with the new Emmaus OSRAM chips help laser module manufacturers achieve higher light coupling efficiencies, allowing for greater flexibility in the output power specification requirements of laser light sources. In addition, the new PLT3 and PLT5 lasers emit a more homogeneous beam, improving the laser module's ability to illuminate a surface or object uniformly.

By improving diode manufacturing technology, Emmaus OSRAM has reduced the tolerances of key specification parameters, making it easier for laser module manufacturers to meet the requirements of the drive circuit.

In addition, the new lasers have reduced maximum values for operating current, operating voltage and threshold current. For example, the maximum threshold current of the 30 mW green laser PLT5 518FB_P has been reduced by about 25 per cent from 60 mA in the previous generation to 45 mA in the latest version.

The new diodes have smaller tolerances and lower operating currents, which means that the power consumption of the laser's power supply can be further reduced. The use of the new PLT laser diode reduces the need for space and power consumption in the product, which is an important advantage especially for battery-powered portable devices.

For scanning applications, the use of high-performance green lasers enhances bar code scanning. In environments such as large warehouses or open-air storage sites, the use of traditional red light laser scanners can be problematic due to long distances or bright daylight, including the risk of operator error when scanning items.

The human eye is more sensitive to green light as opposed to red light, which means that green light lasers are less susceptible to interference from ambient light and are therefore becoming increasingly popular for laser levelling and scanning applications. Laser scanners are mostly battery-powered mobile products, and the new range of PLT green laser diodes helps to reduce the maximum operating current of the device and extends the runtime after the battery has been recharged, and is therefore very beneficial for this type of product.

Emmaus OSRAM recently demonstrated the new PLT3 and PLT5 laser diodes at booth A2.526.1 at the Laser & Photonics trade fair (Munich, Germany, 27 - 30 June 2023). The products on display include mobile computers with integrated barcode scanners equipped with 20mW green laser diodes (PLT5 520EB_Q).

The new products are based on the new Emmaus OSRAM diode chips and are PLT3 and PLT5 single-mode lasers with typical wavelength peaks of 450nm (blue) or 520nm (green). The released products include blue lasers with an optical power output of 100mW and green lasers with outputs of 10mW, 20mW, 30mW and 50mW. These products, which are already in volume production and available for immediate ordering, will replace current single-mode blue and green laser products. Emmaus OSRAM will be launching a 110mW green laser diode at a later date, so stay tuned.

For laser module manufacturers and users in scanning applications, these improved PLT3 and PLT5 lasers offer significant advantages. Firstly, they offer higher beam quality for more efficient fibre coupling, which improves overall performance. Secondly, the reduced tolerance range allows for more precise and stable manufacturing, helping to meet the requirements of the drive circuitry. Additionally, reduced operating current and voltage requirements, as well as reduced power consumption, make the lasers more practical in space- and energy-constrained environments.