SemiNex Multi-Junction Lasers Enable Inexpensive, Efficient, Long-Range LiDAR Applications
SemiNex Corporation announces the introduction of a patent-pending, multi-junction, semiconductor laser diode at eye-safe wavelengths between 1310 nm and 1550 nm with more than 20 times the photons/second and more than 3X the range compared to 905 nm LiDAR systems which will enable mass-market auto-driving cars to finally become a reality. The multi-junction laser diode is a drop-in replacement for most compact laser drivers used for existing 9XX nm diode systems. The new SemiNex multi-junction laser diode makes use of 3 monolithic solid-state laser junctions that produce 80 watts at 1550 nm with 95 um aperture width and yield more than 3X the power of current laser diodes at this wavelength. Product samples are available immediately and the multi-junction is ready for immediate high volume production.
Typical time-of-flight LiDAR systems using multi-junction 905 nm lasers are limited to a range of 100 meters due to eye safety acceptable emission limits (AEL) of International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) regulations, thus limiting their use to niche applications such as private security systems, warehouse automation, and limited-use public driving functionality. The new SemiNex multi-junction laser enables high-power, longer-range, lower cost, eye-safe LiDAR solutions for autonomous trains, planes and automobiles.
“SemiNex invested 3 years in research & development to create a long-range and cost-effective solution to overcome the short-range limitations of existing technologies. We see this as a major game changer and believe it will revolutionize the way major LiDAR companies approach this challenge,” said David Bean, CEO of SemiNex Corporation.
The new SemiNex multi-junction laser diode enables eye-safe, autonomous LiDAR systems to reach greater than 250 meters without compromise. Present solutions limit visibility to 100 meters, requiring a vehicles speed to be at 25 mph or less. For the past ten years LiDAR manufacturers have taken two laser approaches for time-of-flight LiDAR systems: 905 nm laser diodes or 1550 nm fiber lasers. The 905 nm laser diodes suffer from limited range due to eye-safety regulations and the 1550 nm fiber lasers are impractical for mass market deployment because of their size and cost. Until now, there was no solution that offered the low-cost, small size, and efficiency of 905 nm laser diodes with the eye-safety and extended range of 1550 nm fiber lasers.
Neither of these past approaches meet the automotive industry goals to enable LIDAR commercialization. The lack of efficient and inexpensive 200-meter eye-safe LiDAR has held back the industry from commercializing autonomous vehicles and seeing any meaningful mass-market deployment at speeds greater than 25 mph. “The SemiNex multi-junction laser diode changes everything,” states Ed McIntyre, SemiNex Director of Sales & Marketing. “Now there is a low-cost, long-range, eye-safe alternative to 9XX nm diodes and 1550 nm fiber lasers.”
Today, the LiDAR market for automotive and industrial applications is expected to be $981 million and limited to short range applications. However, with improvements in technology and broader acceptance, the market is expected to grow to $2.8 billion by 2025. A major challenge with the existing LiDAR technology for autonomous vehicles has been to find a cost-effective semi-conductor laser diode that can provide high peak power at eye-safe wavelengths for long range applications. Operating at 1550 nm, the SemiNex triple junction device provides three times the peak power of a single emitter thus improving the resolution and penetration effectiveness in bad weather while remaining eye-safe. It can be operated at pulse widths between 2 ns and 100 ns at 200 kHz to 400 kHz pulse repetition rate. SemiNex offers multi-junction devices between 1310 nm and 1550 nm at various aperture widths and cavity lengths to meet specific customer requirements.
“The SemiNex multi-junction laser diodes will allow vehicles to autonomously navigate at higher speeds that can’t be achieved with the existing technology; this could finally enable driverless cars to be a reality within the next 5 years,” suggests McIntyre.
The multi-junction device is available in double and triple junction configurations in various packaging and submount configurations. Samples in either TO-9 or bare die configuration at 1550nm are available for immediate delivery.
For more information visit www.seminex.com or visit us at CIOE trade show at Shenzhen, China, September 11th– 13th Booth #2D80. To schedule a meeting with Hanyu Yang, our Applications Engineer, click here.
About SemiNex:
SemiNex Corporation designs and manufactures high-power semiconductor lasers for use in military, medical, and industrial applications. SemiNex’s unique product designs enable lasers with high powers and improved thermal performance. SemiNex diode technology dramatically lowers the cost per watt of laser power, especially compared to alternate technologies such as solid-state lasers and fiber lasers.
Learn more at www.seminex.com.
For additional information please contact SemiNex Corporation at sales@seminex.com.
