VCSELs in short-pulse operation for time-of-flight applications

Holger Moench; Stephan Gronenborn; Xi Gu; Ralph Gudde; Markus Herper; Johanna Kolb; Michael Miller; Michael Smeets; Alexander Weigl

doi:10.1117/12.2507452

1 March 2019 VCSELs in short-pulse operation for time-of-flight applications

Holger Moench, Stephan Gronenborn, Xi Gu, Ralph Gudde, Markus Herper, Johanna Kolb, Michael Miller, Michael Smeets, Alexander Weigl

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 10938, Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers XXIII; 109380E (2019) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2507452
Event: SPIE OPTO, 2019, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

VCSEL arrays are the ideal light source for 3D imaging applications. The narrow emission spectrum and the ability for short pulses make them superior to LEDs. Combined with fast photodiodes or special camera chips spatial information can be obtained which is needed in diverse applications like camera autofocus, indoor navigation, 3D-object recognition, augmented reality or autonomously driving vehicles. Pulse operation at the ns scale and at low duty cycle can work with significantly higher current than traditionally used for VCSELs in continuous wave operation. With reduced thermal limitations at low average heat dissipation very high currents become feasible and tens of Watts output power could be realized with small VCSEL chips. Good reliability is demonstrated up to current densities above 100kA/cm². At higher current density and temperature gradual degradation can be observed. With this limitation in mind VCSEL arrays can be operated at 15 times higher current than in most continuous operation cases. The good VCSEL properties like robustness, stability over temperature and the potential for integrated solutions open a huge potential for VCSELs in new mass applications in the consumer and automotive markets.

Citation Download Citation

Holger Moench, Stephan Gronenborn, Xi Gu, Ralph Gudde, Markus Herper, Johanna Kolb, Michael Miller, Michael Smeets, and Alexander Weigl "VCSELs in short-pulse operation for time-of-flight applications", Proc. SPIE 10938, Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers XXIII, 109380E (1 March 2019); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2507452

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KEYWORDS

Vertical cavity surface emitting lasers

Reliability

Sensors

Light sources

LIDAR

Light emitting diodes

Photonics

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