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FrozenGate by Avery

Blue and Green Laser Diodes (not DPSS!)

pullbangdead

pullbangdead

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Aug 25, 2007
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Blue and green laser diodes, not DPSS lasers of these colors, may be coming to us sooner than we realize, and it's extremely exciting to me especially. As some of you may have read, I'm a materials science student at a US university, and I am interested in electronic and photonic materials, such as in applications in LEDs, solar cells, and especially laser diodes. I am graduating this May, and it is now official that I will be starting the coursework for my Ph.D in Materials Science at the University of California at Santa Barbara this fall, and beginning in research this summer (hopefully as soon as May). The truly exciting part is what I'm going to be working on: I am going to be working for Professor Shuji Nakamura on more efficient and more powerful blue and green diode lasers, not DPSS, for use as the "G" and "B" in RGB projectors, televisions, and things of that nature.

For those that don't know, Dr. Nakamura worked for Nichia and single-handedly (when basically no one else said it was possible) developed the process that allowed him to create the first high-power blue LED, which was made from gallium nitride. This led directly to the first white LEDs (with a phosphor on the blue LED) and the first blue laser diodes, which are now the basis for the Blu-Ray platform. These laser diodes are still made at least in large part by Nichia, and they're all thanks to his work.

So basically, it's my dream come true that I'll be working on blue and green laser diodes, taht can be powerful and inexpensive, and that will trickle down to the hobbyists like us. And another dream come true to be working with such a respected person that is such a legend in the field. It's amazing, and I'll try and keep you guys updated over the next 5 years or so that it will take to finish my Ph.D on how the diodes are going. Hopefully, before long, they'll be in our flashlights, pointers, and high resolution projectors!

ps.-all that, and I get to live in Santa Barbara, with the lab buildings 50 yards from the ocean!
 





welcome to the forum :) sounds like you should be having a great experience working in optics, remember to post anything neat you happen to come across ;)
 
Sounds like an unbelievably amazing opportunity, can't wait to hear what comes of it.
Good luck with your research!
 
Wow, I'm speechless, you really know him? Is this for real? I have read several articles about him, so I'm familiar with the name and his work. Say hi from me if you do, hehe (someone at the forum).
And this is... well, truly amazing, you are my new hero! New technology! I have said this before that I don't like DPSS lasers very much because of the inefficiency. I don't hate them though, so don't get me wrong. I have strong believes for the blue and green laser diodes (and possibly other colours as well in the future).
Lasers and LEDs, love 'em! Good luck and thanks!
 
Wow, now that's going to be an education!

I'm really glad you're a member of this forum and are willing to share... It'll be nice to have a spy on the front lines of laser tech, unless they make you sign a confidentiality agreement of course... (I don't mean to be a buzz-kill, but there are potentially millions of dollars of intellectual property in Prof. Nakamura's head that they might not appreciate you posting for the general public :-X).

Whatever happens though, I'd be happy to hear any tidbit of hint you can sneak us and I'm excited for your opportunity.

Carpe diem! :D

CC
 
FireMyLaser said:
Wow, I'm speechless, you really know him? Is this for real? I have read several articles about him, so I'm familiar with the name and his work. Say hi from me if you do, hehe (someone at the forum).
And this is... well, truly amazing, you are my new hero! New technology! I have said this before that I don't like DPSS lasers very much because of the inefficiency. I don't hate them though, so don't get me wrong. I have strong believes for the blue and green laser diodes (and possibly other colours as well in the future).
Lasers and LEDs, love 'em! Good luck and thanks!
Click to expand...

But you gotta love them for their good beamspecs.
 
OMG you guys!! Nakamura!! You guys, Nakamura!! OMG!! Nakamura, you guys, NAKAMURA!! OMG!! :o :o :o

Btw, I know him by his custom text ::)
 
He's a frickin' rockstar!

Pullbangdead registered a while ago, just doesn't post much. Which is ok. Again, good luck!
 
Excellent. This is really something that interests me also, and if I were about 20 years younger it's what I'd be pursuing also :)

I've always been interested in light emitting and gathering P/N junctions. Still remember wiring up a little Si solar cell to small dc motor and just being amazed.

I don't know what the limiting factor is to making visible 'direct injection' laser diodes in the heart of the visible spectrum. Currently the only visible LDs are at either end of the spectrum - red or violet. One economic driver for their development is now gone with the development of the 405nm diode. It must be a difficult problem or we'd already have these laser diodes, just as we have LEDs available in many colors. I'm guessing the concentrated nature of the radiation in the p/n junction means the doped xtals used need to be very stable and pure. I'm also pretty certain a lot of the early work with laser diodes had to do with 'facet passivation' where the end facets (subjected to concentrated radiation) had to be protected (prevent COD).

There would certainly be a market for good green and blue diodes. Laser diodes are the most efficient sources for converting electricity to light, and very small full color projectors could be made.

Here's the first article I recall reading about Nakamura, you've probably already seen it.
http://archive.sciencewatch.com/jan-feb2000/sw_jan-feb2000_page4.htm

Good luck --
 
Sounds really exciting. Enjoy Santa Barbara, it's amazingly beautiful there. I live in SoCal and can never leave. Anywhere I go I can't wait to get back. I can't afford to live in Santa Barbara due to the average home costing 3 million, but even where I live is still pretty nice. I hope you like outdoor sports. Don't let the thousands of beautiful women in bikinis get in the way of your education either. ;)
 
The time is near... I expect the beam specs to blow away our current green and blue lasers. I can't wait! Absolutely amazing. Let Nakamura know that he is very highly honored, respected, and loved here!

Btw, I live in SoCal too, but in the I.E. - Peace, & Cheers! :D
 
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