ANALYSIS AND OPINION VERTICAL-CAVITY SURFACE-EMITTING LASERS


performance and cost roadmaps make an almost compelling case for very high penetration in a few years from now. Secondly, we have seen a


number of new VCSEL-enabled applications on the horizon that will add an entirely new dimension to VCSEL usage. These include things like 3D mapping to support AR/ VR and identification; 3D printing and surface finishing; high power devices using millions of VCSELs that may radically change the way we do processing of plastics; and using VCSEL arrays as light source for lidar, which would be a key enabler for autonomous driving. The third reason is more of a vision than a reality, and is what I call ‘integration’. Today, most VCSELs are designed to fulfill a single purpose, which is emitting light with a certain power level, wavelength and so on. Collimation or diffusing optics, as well as driver circuits, are externally connected to the VCSEL to define the


“We have seen a number of new VCSEL-enabled applications on the horizon that will add an entirely new dimension to VCSEL usage”


entire function. Wafer level processing, however, allows a more integrated approach of which we have seen the first examples: Datacom VCSELs often come as multi-channel chips (4x, 12x or higher). Moreover, we have seen optical elements for mode control or polarisation control integrated right into the GaAs chip, and we have seen devices that have lasers and photo diodes all on the same chip. All of this bears the promise of a kind of ‘Moore’s law for VCSELs’, where we can expect to see more and more functions integrated on a single chip. Nobody knows which new applications will benefit from integration, and what drives the progress of integration. But I am sure there are plenty of ideas that are out there waiting for VCSELs to take the next


www.electrooptics.com | @electrooptics step in their ongoing evolution.


A lasting impact on European manufacturing While we expect the growth of 3D sensing in smart phones to be a major driver, we are also seeing increased demand from industrial applications, and eventually, we will see demand rise from automotive as well, but this could take a few years.


In the future, we expect


VCSELs to grow on a global scale. Europe is likely to emerge as one of the strongest regions in adopting VCSELs in industrial and automotive products, as these are traditionally strong industries. Despite having already been around for more than 40 years, VCSELs are still in the beginning of their life


cycle. There are many more innovations to come, and these changes will have a deep and lasting impact on many digital applications, and thereby on all of our lives. EO


l If you would like to find out more about the work that Philips is doing with VCSELs, you can read more at www.photonics.philips.com/about


Excite your research Tunable Dye


Lasers and OPOs 190-11000nm


Ultrafast Lasers and OPAs 210-20000nm


Nanosecond


Nd:YAG lasers 213nm-1064nm


...with our lasers Tel: +44 131 664 8122 www.photonicsolutions.co.uk


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