US 5,311,535 A · Monolithic laser diode array providing emission from a minor surface thereof

Abstract

A laser diode array having a grooved substrate with one or more laser diode bars disposed in the substrate grooves. When mounted in the substrate, the bars emit light in a direction perpendicular to the minor surface of the substrate. Additional structure is provided to channel the light output of the array. The substrate may be comprised of a number of materials, including: ceramic; semiconductor; crystal, such as diamond; doped ceramic; doped semiconductor; doped crystal; composites, composed of conductive upper layers and nonconductive lower layers, or the like. In certain embodiments metallization is provided in the grooves for purposes of conduction and for attachment of the laser diode bars. In certain embodiments metallization may be provided in the grooves for purposes of attaching the laser diode bars securely; the conductive nature of the substrate providing the required electrical conductivity.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A monolithic laser diode array comprising:

a monolithic substrate having upper and lower major surfaces and at least one minor surface extending between said upper and lower major surfaces, at least one groove having substantially vertical side walls being formed in said upper major surface and extending to said at least one minor surface;
a metallized layer disposed along said side walls of said at least one groove to form at least one metallized groove;
and
at least one laser diode bar, mounted in said at least one metallized groove such that an emission surface of said at least one laser diode bar is parallel to said at least one minor surface.

1 more element

A laser diode array comprising:

a substrate having upper and lower major surfaces and at least one minor surface extending between said upper and lower major surfaces, at least one groove having substantially vertical side walls being formed in said upper major surface and extending to said at least one minor surface, said substrate comprising a substantially nonconductive lower portion with a conductive layer formed over said substantially nonconductive lower portion of said substrate;
and
at least one laser diode bar, mounted in said at least one groove such that an emission surface of said at least one laser diode bar is parallel to said at least one minor surface.

A monolithic laser diode array comprising:

a monolithic substrate having upper and lower major surfaces, at least one minor surface extending between said upper and lower major surfaces, at least one groove having substantially vertical side walls being formed in said upper major surface and extending to said at least one minor surface, said monolithic substrate having upper and lower portions, said lower portion of said monolithic substrate being substantially undoped and electrically nonconductive, and said upper portion of said monolithic substrate being highly doped and electrically conductive;
and
at least one laser diode bar, mounted in said at least one groove such that an emission surface of said at least one laser diode bar is parallel to said at least one minor surface.

A monolithic laser diode array comprising:

a monolithic substrate having upper and lower major surfaces, at least one minor surface extending between said upper and lower major surfaces, and at least one groove having substantially vertical side walls formed in said upper major surface along a length of said substrate and extending to said at least one minor surface;
a metallized layer disposed along at least a portion of a length of said side walls of said at least one groove to form at least one metallized groove;
at least one laser diode bar, mounted in a metallized portion of said at least one groove such that an emission surface thereof is parallel to said at least one minor surface;
and
at least one optical fiber mounted in a remaining portion of said at least one groove opposite said at least one laser diode bar so that one end of said at least one optical fiber is adjacent to the emission surface of said at least one laser diode bar.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Monolithic laser diode array providing emission from a minor surface thereof

Life of this patent

Monolithic laser diode array providing emission from a minor surface thereof

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20