BluGlass files tuneable GaN laser patents
BluGlass, a company pioneering lasers for the quantum, defence, and biotech markets, has filed three US patent applications for next-generation high-power, tuneable GaN lasers, and published its advanced results in a technical paper presented at SPIE Photonics West in San Fransisco.
The three provisional patents are around BluGlass' novel high-peak power continuous wave tuneable GaN lasers for use in three critical markets: aerospace, marine, and defence applications; quantum computing and quantum sensing applications; and biomedical and biotech applications.
BluGlass’ technical paper 'Advancements in GaN DFBs with embedded gratings and a path to higher power on BluGlass’ advanced GaN DFB development and a path to high-power ultra-precision applications' highlights the improved performance of its GaN DFB lasers. It demonstrates near single frequency emission from violet to aqua-marine, demonstrating side-mode-suppression ratios of greater than 40 decibels (dB), and peak full-width-half-maximum linewidths of under 3 picometers (pM).
Additionally, the paper highlights that BluGlass has successfully demonstrated an integrated GaN master oscillator power amplifier (MOPA), which achieved 750 mW power in a single spatial mode. The integrated device replaces a single-mode laser with fast and slow-axis lenses aligned to a semiconductor optical amplifier, increasing power while reducing size, and complexity.
BluGlass’ GaN DFBs are being designed for wafer-scale fabrication to reduce downstream optical alignment costs, and address critical challenges in quantum technologies and computing while enabling greater production volume and smaller device sizes.
BluGlass CEO Jim Haden said: “BluGlass is extending the bounds of visible laser capabilities, and the addition of DFB wavelengths from violet to aquamarine, world-class suppression of noise, and the integration of a single mode laser with a power amplifier achieving 750 mW of blue light in a single spatial mode are testaments to the incredible innovation pioneered by our world-leading team."
He added: “Our growing strategic capability uniquely positions BluGlass to capitalise on the exciting growth markets of quantum sensing, communication, and computing. These advances will enable our customers to solve complex problems such as atmospheric LiDAR detection of clear air turbulence, underwater communications and LiDAR, and GPS spoofing and jamming by creating localised quantum solutions."
BluGlass’ DFB development partner University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) is also presenting a paper on the joint GaN DFB laser development, featuring joint BluGlass and UCSB performance data.
