Mitsubishi Electric Corp. has introduced the ML501P73, a 638-nm red laser diode with an output power of 1 W for use in pico projectors and other portable display systems that require a high-brightness red light source. Sample shipments will begin Nov. 18. Pico projectors can be embedded in or connected to mobile systems such as cellular phones and laptop computers, and laser diodes are widely used in them because of their ability to project a range of colors wider than lamp-based projectors. The new laser diode delivers higher output while consuming less power than LEDs, extending battery life. It also enables focus-free operation because optical systems with great depth of field can be used with laser beams. At high temperatures, the output power of red laser diodes with wavelengths shorter than 640 nm was not sufficient for high-brightness projector applications. Mitsubishi Electric applied its window mirror structures and epitaxial growth technology to develop the new lasing wavelength. The new diode has recorded the highest output power for microprojectors, and its luminosity as a red light source exceeds 120 lm because of lasing at a short wavelength. Its electrical conversion ratio is 35 percent at 1 W at a temperature of 25 ºC, enabling a reduction in power consumption. It operates at temperatures between –5 and 40 ºC and can emit 1 W in pulsed output and 0.5 W in continuous waves. In the pulse condition, the duty ratio is less than 33 percent and the frequency is >50 Hz. Storage temperature is -5 to ~100 ºC. The device is housed in a 5.6-mm-diameter capless package. For more information, visit: www.mitsubishielectric.com