World's First Tunable-Wavelength Blue Semiconductor Laser



Osaka University has published a report in Applied Physics Express. Scientists have developed the world's first compact, tunable-wavelenth blue semiconductor laser. This is a huge advancement for far-ultraviolet light technology. It has promising applications in both sterilization and disinfection methods. The laser is a periodically slotted structure in nitride semiconductors. This makes the device easily adaptable and practical for disinfection practices.   

The team had previously shown second harmonic generation below 230 nm. They used transverse quasi-phase matching devices. These devices used large, expensive, ultra short pulse lasers.  Scientists realized a far more practical light source required a semiconductor laser with 460 nm wavelength. 

Blue nitride semiconductors were originally designed for Blu-ray technology. They have expanded to gold and copper, expecting to create next generation laser displays. These blue lasers oscillate at multiple wavelengths.  Single wave lasers are ideal, as high-efficiency wavelengths conversion devices have narrow acceptance bandwidth. Precise control and tunability are very important. 

The first author of the paper is named Taisei Kusui. He summarizes, "Our tunable-wavelength nitride semiconductor laser oscillates in the 405 nm band, but its structure can be readily adapted to the 460nm band as well. Combined with our new wavelength conversion devices, the laser enables the creation of a compact, practical far-ultraviolet light source that is safe for continuous use in indoor environments, providing effective and ongoing sterilization and disinfection."

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