Photodigm Claims Laser Breakthrough

RICHARDSON, Texas, Jan. 27 -- Photodigm Inc. said that it has developed 1310 nm Grating-outcoupled Surface Emitting (GSE) laser technology that yields devices with single-mode output powers up to 6mW, essentially providing the performance of a DFB laser with the advantages of a VCSEL.

Photodigm's device uses an edge-emitting epitaxial material structure (AlInGaAs/InP) and relies on first and second order gratings for the DBR reflectors and the outcoupler.

"This represents a significant breakthrough for Photodigm," said John
Spencer, president and CEO. "For the first time we have shown that a small outcoupler grating can deliver a significant amount of power into single-mode fiber. With this unique semiconductor laser architecture, we expect to provide major improvements in the cost and performance of a wide range of photonic devices in the enterprise and access markets."