OSRAM Opto Semiconductor scientists awarded Beckurts Prize for green laser

Regensburg, Germany--Scientists at OSRAM Opto Semiconductors were awarded with the Beckurts Prize for developing the direct green-emitting laser. Representing the entire research team, Désirée Queren, Stephan Lutgen, and Adrian Avramescu from OSRAM Opto Semiconductors received the distinguished Beckurts Prize for their pioneering work in researching direct green semiconductor lasers. This is a milestone for many applications; this laser will open up new markets, for example, in ultra-compact mobile RGB laser projectors.

The availability of very small and low-cost red, blue and green semiconductor lasers is crucial for large-scale diffusion of RGB laser projection. The laser diodes enable production of low-cost, compact and efficient picoprojectors, which can be incorporated in mobile devices such as smart-phones or digital cameras. Due to the particular beam properties of lasers, these projectors have unlimited depth of sharpness and extremely high resolution, which go even beyond that of LED solutions. The low spectral bandwidth of semiconductor lasers enables a lifelike display of colors plus razor-sharp contrast.

OSRAM Opto Semiconductors only started developing direct blue laser diodes for RGB laser projection in 2006. Today these are used successfully in the first devices on the market. Based on the findings for the blue laser in the InGaN material system, the team managed within a very short time to break through the barrier to green from a wavelength of 500 nm. In 2009 they took over the technological leadership in direct green laser diodes of > 515 nm with optical outputs more than 50 mW.

The Karl Heinz Beckurts Foundation grants the award to honor outstanding scientific and technical achievements, which give rise to discernible impetus promoted by the prize winners for industrial innovations in Germany. The 2010 prize was handed over on 10 December.

SOURCE: Osram Opto Semiconductors; www.osram-os.com/osram_os/EN/Press/Press_Releases/IRLaser/Laser/Scientists_at_OSRAM_Opto_Semiconductors_are_awarded_with_the_Beckurts_Prize_for_developing_the_direct_green-emitting_laser.html

Posted by:Gail Overton

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