Osram Opto Semiconductors awarded Beckurts Prize
Sunnyvale, CA--Scientists at Osram Opto Semiconductors have been honored by the Karl Beckurts Foundation for their work in developing a direct green-emitting semiconductor laser.
The green-emitting semiconductor laser is a milestone for many applications and will open up new markets, for example, in ultra-compact mobile RGB laser projectors.
In a statement, the company said it started developing direct blue laser diodes for RGB (red green blue) laser projection in 2006. These are now used successfully in the first devices on the market. Based on the findings for the blue laser in the indium gallium nitride (InGaN) material system, the team managed to break through the barrier to green from a wavelength of 500 nm. In 2009, the company says that the team took over the technological leadership in direct green laser diodes of >515 nm with optical outputs of more than 50 mW.
The basic development of blue and green laser diodes and research into miniaturization of systems in mobile laser projection are supported by project Molas—technologies for ultra-compact and mobile laser projection systems—as part of the "Optical components and systems for volume markets" funding initiative of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (funding code FKZ 13N9373).
The Karl Heinz Beckurts Foundation grants the award annually on December 10 to honor outstanding scientific and technical achievements that give rise to discernible impetus for industrial innovations in Germany.
Source: Osram Opto Semiconductors
Stephen G. Anderson | Director, Industry Development - SPIE
Stephen Anderson is a photonics industry expert with an international background and has been actively involved with lasers and photonics for more than 30 years. As Director, Industry Development at SPIE – The international society for optics and photonics – he is responsible for tracking the photonics industry markets and technology to help define long-term strategy, while also facilitating development of SPIE’s industry activities. Before joining SPIE, Anderson was Associate Publisher and Editor in Chief of Laser Focus World and chaired the Lasers & Photonics Marketplace Seminar. Anderson also co-founded the BioOptics World brand. Anderson holds a chemistry degree from the University of York and an Executive MBA from Golden Gate University.