Laser Diodes

What is a Laser Diode?

A Laser Diode or semiconductor laser is the simplest form of Solid-State Laser.  Laser diodes are commonly referred to as edge emitting laser diodes because the laser light is emitted from the edge of the substrate or chip. The light emitting region of the chip is commonly called the emitter.  The emitter size and the number of emitters determine output power and beam quality.

Learn More About Laser Diodes

Electrically speaking, a laser diode is a PIN diode. The intrinsic (I) region is the active region. The N and P regions provide the active region with the carriers (electrons and holes). Initially, research was carried out using P-N diodes. However, all modern devices utilize the double-hetero-structure implementation. This design confines the carriers and photons, allowing a maximization of recombination and light generation.

Laser Diode Epitaxy: the epitaxial structure of a diode laser is typically grown utilizing one of the crystal growth techniques, starting with an N-doped substrate, then growing the I-doped layer (active region), proceeded by the P-doped layer, and finally, a contact layer. The active region of the chip typically consists of quantum wells. These wells allow for a lower threshold current and a higher operating efficiency.

RPMC Lasers has over 25 years of experience working with our customers to provide standard and custom laser diodes in a wide variety of packages and wavelengths. RPMC offers one of the broadest wavelength selections of Semiconductor Laser Diodes available, using indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs), gallium nitride (GaN) and other semiconductor materials.  On this page, we list all diode products, including single emitters, multi-emitters, arrays (bars), stacks, VCSELS, DFB, VBG, QCL, SLD, multi-wavelength, turn-key, tunable, and custom laser types.

Laser Diode Products

Laser Diodes are available with wavelengths in the UV, violet, blue, green, red, NIR, SWIR, MWIR, and LWIR spectral regions, in a large range of output powers.

Our single-mode products provide output powers in the mW range. Next, our multimode emitters produce powers in the Watts range. Finally, our diode bars, stacks and multi-emitter, fiber-coupled modules and systems provide powers in the multi KW range.

Our wavelength-stabilized, narrow linewidth options utilize DFB (distributed feedback) and VBG (volume Bragg grating) technology.  Furthermore, we offer fiber-coupled options on most devices and complete turn-key systems if preferred.

There are many different packages to choose from. For example, we offer chip on submount, B-mounts, C-mounts, Q-mounts, and various TO-Can and HHL packages, amongst others. Furthermore, if you do not see the package type needed, we offer many custom packages.

Click on the link to browse our current selection of in-stock lasers, ready to ship!

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Laser Diode Customization Experience

For over 25 years, the laser diode experts at RPMC Lasers have facilitated successful collaborations between customers and suppliers. Our team prides itself on the knowledge and experience acquired in the industry and our dedication to providing system integrators with customized laser packaging solutions.

Over the years, we have worked in conjunction with engineers and designers to develop novel solutions, helping to ensure the success of their projects. To illustrate how these collaboration efforts could help your team on your next project, we’re going to tell the story of one company’s successful project, and how the dedicated, joint efforts of RPMC Lasers and LDX Optronics facilitated this success.

Read the full article here.

Laser Diode Space Qualification Experience

RPMC Lasers has extensive experience facilitating Space Qualification of laser diodes for various space-based applications. For nearly 25 years, we have worked closely with our trusted partners to deliver completely customized solutions and space qualification assistance for a wide variety of applications. We provide a huge range of options, including the widest diode laser wavelength selection in the industry. We offer advanced soldering processes, with options for hard or soft soldering, with high precision placement in a flux-free, void-free, uniform bond line thickness. We have many standard packages, as well as customization options, providing electrical isolation, ruggedization and low SWaP, advanced thermal management, submount design, micro lensing, fiber coupling, and more. Our laser diodes can be specified down to the wafer level, up to the packaging level, with optional add-ons and qualification specifications. These Made-in-the-US diode lasers aren’t subject to tariffs, international shipping issues, or changing/obsoleted product lines. So, we can guarantee supply for the life of your program!

Read the full article here.

How To Select A Laser Diode:

Welcome to RPMC’s ‘How To Select A Laser Diode’ page. Primarily, this page should help you quickly identify an appropriate Laser Diode (LD) that suites your needs. In short, we explain how we define and organize these products, and how you can use our filters and product table to quickly find viable options to match your requirements.

RPMC offers a selection of Laser Diodes, covering a wide range of wavelengths, powers, packages, and more. Indeed, after reading this page, you should have a better understanding on how to select the best Laser Diode for your specific needs. Let’s get started!

Laser Diode Types:

We offer a wide assortment of LD types to choose from. For example, we offer Single and Multi-Emitters, Quantum Cascade Lasers (QCLs), Volume Bragg Grating (VGB), and more. Furthermore, these “Types” typically define the technology utilized to generate lasing. However, there are some exceptions (e.g. Arrays/Bars, Stacks, Tunable, Turn-key Systems). Additionally, most products have customization options, including packaging, wafer level options, cooling, photodiodes, and more. Alternatively, for more information on our LDs, you can check out our Lasers 101 page, and you can click the Laser Diode Type links in each section below. Next, we will briefly explain each Laser Diode type.

Single Emitter/Multi-Emitter:

Firstly, we offer a wide variety of Single Emitter and Multi-Emitter LDs. Single Emitters have a single emitting region (emitter) that emits light. They can be multimode or single-mode, depending on the emitter size. Alternatively, multimode diodes have a larger width, which allows for more than one mode in the active region, therefore providing higher power, but a lower beam quality. However, for Single-Mode diode lasers, the inverse is true: lower power and higher beam quality. Finally, our Single Emitter products are available in UV, violet, blue, green, red, and IR wavelengths

Multi-Emitters utilize multiple Single Emitters. For example, these are typically multimode emitters with fiber-coupled output. Combining multiple Single Emitters allows for more power, with less current draw, when compared to Laser Diode Bars. Finally, our Multi-Emitter products are available in blue, red, and IR wavelengths

Both Single-Emitter and Multi-Emitter types are available with a wide variety of packages and customization options.

Arrays/Bars:

Laser Diode Arrays (or Bars) allow for emitters to lie next to each other, with a certain pitch between emitting regions. Therefore, the arrayed laser diodes can have a higher output power with red and IR wavelength options. Finally, they are typically used for various Industrial and Medical applications.

Stacks:

Laser Diode Stacks are comprised of LD Arrays/Bars, stacked vertically, or horizontally to provide increased total output power. Furthermore, these products are available in wavelengths from 808nm to 980nm (IR regime) in several free-space and fiber-coupled packages.

VCSELs:

Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers (VCSELs) have an emitting region oriented perpendicular to the top surface of the chip, as opposed to traditional diode lasers, which emit light from the side of the chip. Furthermore, one VCSEL chip can be used to achieve very high beam quality, or multiple chips (10s, 100s, or even 1000s) can be arrayed to create a larger emitting area, increase total output power, and increase long-term reliability. Finally, VCSELs haver greater accuracy, smaller size, lower power consumption, and higher reliability than their diode counterparts.

Distributed Feedback:

Distributed Feedback (or DFB) Laser Diodes utilize a Bragg grating to provide single-frequency output and offer Narrow Linewidth with good side-mode suppression ratio (SMSR). Finally, these are available in IR wavelengths with free-space and fiber-coupled output options.

Volume Bragg Grating:

Volume Bragg Grating (VBG) Laser Diodes utilize an external cavity technique to provide Narrow Linewidth and Wavelength Stabilized output. Finally, these products are available in green, red, and IR wavelengths, with free-space and fiber-coupled output options.

Quantum Cascade:

Quantum Cascade Lasers (QCLs) are quasi-CW, Fabry-Perot, intersubband semiconductor lasers, operating at room temperature, emitting around a center wavelength in the MWIR and LWIR wavelength regimes. Furthermore, the high average power and wall-plug efficiency of QCLs is perfectly suited for counter-measure and other defense applications.

Superluminescent:

Superluminescent Laser Diodes (also sometimes called Superluminescence Diodes, or Superluminescent Light-Emitting Diodes – SLEDs / SLDs) are optoelectronic semiconductor devices that emit broadband optical radiation. Finally, these devices are typically used for Optical Component Testing, Telecommunications, and Optical Coherence Tomography.

Multi Wavelength:

Our Multi Wavelength Laser Diodes provide multiple CW wavelength output options from the same device. Furthermore, these multimode diodes are water-cooled, with multimode fiber-coupled output. Finally, these provide multiple wavelengths including blue, red, and IR.

Turn-Key System:

Our Laser Diode Turn-Key Systems are ready to use immediately, available with integrated electronics, thermal management, user interface, and more. For example, the BDL Turn-Key systems are available with 915nm and 976nm wavelengths, with CW multimode fiber-coupled output, and output powers from 1kW to 3kW, depending on the configuration. Another example, the DS3 Turn-Key system, can take ANY of our K Series diode lasers, to make them a Turn-Key System. Simply chose the configuration you want, with the DS3 turn-key system package option. Finally, there are many available wavelengths from violet to the IR regimes.

Tunable Lasers:

Our Tunable products are Distributed Feedback (DFB) Quantum Cascade Lasers (QCLs), factory set in the LWIR wavelength regime from 11.3µm to 16µm. Furthermore, these QCLs are well suited for integration into systems, available in a sealed High Heat Load (HHL) package, with integrated collimating lens, thermistor, and thermoelectric cooler (TEC). Alternatively, they can act as a stand-alone turnkey system for R&D and detection applications.

Packages:

Our Laser Diodes are available in a huge variety of standard and custom packaging options. For example, we offer B-Mounts, C-Mounts, T-Mounts, and Q-mounts, 3.8mm/5.6mm/9mm TO-Cans, 9mm SMA, HHL, Open Beam & Fiber-Coupled Butterfly (BF), and MANY more.

Wavelength:

One of the more important specifications to consider when selecting a Laser Diode is wavelength, and our products are available in a wide range of wavelengths. Many applications are wavelength specific. However, some applications can use multiple wavelengths, depending on preference or specifics of your particular setup. Our many wavelength options span the UV, violet, blue, green, red, IR, SWIR, MWIR, and LWIR regimes. Finally, the table to the right shows a small sampling of which wavelengths work with a given application.

Ultraviolet or UV Lasers:

Our UV Laser Diodes are typically used at 375nm.

Violet Lasers:

Our Violet Laser Diodes range from 390nm to 419nm.

Blue Lasers:

Our Blue Laser Diodes range from 420nm to 499nm.

Green Lasers:

Our Green Laser Diodes range from 500nm to 559nm.

Red Lasers:

Our Red Laser Diodes range from 620nm to 699nm.

IR Lasers:

Our Infrared or (IR) Laser Diodes can be classified into four different categories. Near Infrared (NIR), Short Wavelength Infrared (SWIR), Mid-Wavelength Infrared (MWIR), and Long-Wavelength Infrared (LWIR) LDs. To see all of the various IR Laser products we offer, check out these links:

•   NIR Lasers   •   SWIR Lasers   •   MWIR Lasers   •   LWIR Lasers   •

How Can We Help?

If you have any questions, or if you would like some assistance please Contact Us here. Furthermore, you can email us at [email protected] to talk to a knowledgeable Product Manager.

Alternatively, use the filters on this page to assist in narrowing down the selection of Laser Diodes lasers for sale. Finally, head to our Knowledge Center with our Lasers 101 page and Blogs, Whitepapers, and FAQ pages for further, in-depth reading.

Finally, check out our Limited Supply – In Stock – Buy Now page: This page contains an ever-changing assortment of various types of new lasers at marked-down/discount prices.