Sharp to market red laser diode with 33% wall-plug efficiency

(Image: Sharp Corp.)

Osaka, Japan--Sharp Corporation has developed a single-mode red diode laser that emits at a 642 nm wavelentgh with a wall-plug efficiency of 33%. The laser is intended for use in laser projectors and head-up displays.

Sharp notes that the high wall-plug efficiency leads to eased cooling requirements. The device, which is a decendant of Sharp's DVD/CD read/write lasers, emits 150 mW of light -- the industry's highest level for this type of light source, says Sharp.

Samples will be available January 31, 2013; the laser will be mass-produced beginning March 29, 2013 at levels of 10,000 units per month. The model name is GH0641FA2C and the sample price (tax included) will be 5000 yen, or about US $58.

At a 150 mW optical output, the typical threshold and operating current are 55 and 182 mA, respectively. Operating voltage is 2.5 V; the beam divergence in the parallel and orthogonal directions are 9 and 17 degrees.

Source: http://www.sharp.co.jp/corporate/news/121225-a.html