Mitsubishi Electric to launch 3W pulsed 638nm red laser diode for projectors

Tokyo-based Mitsubishi Electric Corp will begin sample sales on 11 January (prior to launch on 1 April) of the ML562G86 pulse laser diode (LD) for projector applications, emitting 638nm-wavelength red light with record output power of 3.0W under pulsed operation (20% greater than the 2.5W of the existing model ML562G84) and mean time to failure (MTTF) extended to more than 20,000 hours (due to improvements in chip structure and manufacturing processes).

Projector light sources are shifting from mercury lamps to solid-state light sources that offer wall-plug efficiency, a wide color gamut, and highly reliable operation. Laser diodes achieve the best wall-plug efficiency among solid-state light sources, contributing to lower power consumption, and are thus viewed as the most promising light source for projectors.

In September 2015, Mitsubishi Electric launched its ML562G84 red laser diode, achieving 2.5W output under pulse operation for RGB light-source projectors. With conventional laser diodes, extended operation at 3.0W output power causes the laser’s light-emitting surface crystals to melt, making it difficult to achieve an MTTF of 20,000 hours. In response, Mitsubishi Electric has developed the technology required to suppress degradation of the light-emitting surface even at 3.0W.

The high output power and high-luminosity 638nm laser light of the new ML562G86 achieves luminous efficicacy of 145 lumens per laser diode.

Picture: The ML562G86 high-power 638nm-wavelength red laser diode.

Also, due to a large 9.0mm-diameter transistor-outline can (TO-CAN) package with excellent heat dissipation, the ML562G86 has a wide operating temperature range of 0ºC to 45ºC at 3.0W pulse operation, and what is claimed to be world-leading pulse-light output power of 2.1W at a case temperature of 55ºC. The wide operating temperature range allows a simplified cooling structure, contributing to projector miniaturization and a reduced cost of cooling units.

Together, the high output power and wide operating temperature range are targeted at contributing to not just projector miniaturization but also enhanced luminance.

Mitsubishi Electric expects in future to use laser diodes to develop not only superior projectors but also advanced laser TVs capable of more vibrant images than liquid-crystal TVs.

See related items:

Mitsubishi Electric unveils first high-power 638nm red laser diode with built-in meniscus lens

Mitsubishi Electric launching 2.5W 638nm red laser diode for pulse-operation projectors

Mitsubishi Electric develops record 1.8W 9.0mm TO-packaged 638nm red laser for projectors

Tags: Mitsubishi Electric Red laser diode

Visit: www.mitsubishielectric.com/semiconductors/products/opt/laserdevice