SYLMAR, Calif., July 8 -- Quintessence Photonics Corp. (QPC), a developer of laser diode technology, recently announced it has demonstrated a prototype 2-D monolithic high-power array that emits light from the surface of a semiconductor. The optical output of 75 surface-emitting laser diodes, arranged in three rows of 25, exceeded 100 watts during the demonstration and is scalable to over 1000 watts. According to QPC, this level of performance sets the stage for a demonstration of direct diode welding later this year and for miniaturization and lowered costs of laser diode components used in a variety of industrial, military and medical applications. Complete water-cooled components can be constructed in flat, simple geometries, said Jeffrey Ungar, chairman of the board and president of QPC. "Our unique surface emitter designs will also permit higher optical brightness and reliability," he said. The company said conventional laser diodes are laborious to fabricate and require separation and additional processing before use. To prevent exposing the ends of the cavity to atmosphere, dust and moisture, individual and delicate coolers must be stacked on top of each other -- one for each laser "bar," holding only a single row of diodes. QPC said its diode arrays are fully monolithic, resulting in far simpler manufacture and test. The company has also developed a facet-hardening technique that increases the power-handling capacity and reduces optical facet failures, a leading cause of early failure. In June, QPC announced it completed a $3.25 million funding round that it said will boost its working capital reserves and enable it to expand its marketing and production efforts. For more information, visit: www.qpc.cc