Colliers Research

Product Research Reviews and Other Cool Research

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Learn Laser Diode Basics

Learn Laser Diode Basics

What is an RGB Laser Diode?

A Laser Diode is similar to an LED (light emitting diode) but its light is collimated and can be finely focused and controlled. However the light from an LED sprays out in all directions not unlike an incandescent light bulb. LEDs and laser diodes (LD) are of increasing interest to the lighting industry. Red, green and blue laser diodes are available in an increasing number of commercial packages.

White light can be created with these diodes by combining red, green, blue (RGB) in the right power ratios. Another way to make white light is to use a blue laser diode energy combined with phosphor material (often a YAG material).

The ability to create precise wavelength light and to deliver it within a collimated straight beam is impressive to me. Laser diodes bring a unique set of attributes to general illumination. Lasers enable light delivery in standard free-space configurations. They also can be easily coupled to optical fibers.

The p-n junction is the core mechanism of light generation within most laser diodes and it is a fascinating technological accomplishment. Wondering how lasers diodes work? Similar to light emitting diode (LED) which spray out light at many angles, but with added components. Watch the video below for some of the basics.

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Five New Ways to Use LEDs & Light Emitting Optical Fiber

Five New Ways to Use LEDs & Light Emitting Optical Fiber

Laser diode + optical fiber = The Future in Lighting

Laser diode based lighting is a powerful way to light our homes, offices and even apparel.  With lasers and with optical fiber we can deliver light precisely where we want it in increasingly attractive ways.

LEDs and fiber coupled laser diodes are two lighting techniques that we can expect to see an uptick in demand.

Five Ways to Use LD and LED’s in Lighting

  1. Christmas tree lights, whether it be a string of LED’s or a string of light diffusing fiber, both are available now to give a unique look to our holiday tree tradition.
  2. Flash lights are increasingly being made with LED’s. LED’s are more easily controlled have color control and typically last longer than other means of lighting if made properly.
  3. Lit ear-bud dongles. We can purchase ear bud dongles which plug into our phones and light up for an amazing experience. Using Corning’s Fibrance (R) fiber we can even sync our music to the laser light emission. The light can be made to pulse with our specific songs, check out and purchase GLOW headphones.
  4. Lighted Apparel lights can be woven into apparel and has been for some time. Recently light emission has taken the form of a glass fibers which can be woven into apparel. Imagine a hoodie that lights up for nighttime running or your favorite sports team with a baseball hat which lights up in custom colors. Versalume LLC has done just this with their growing number of light scattering fiber applications. (see video at the end of this post).
  5. Light pipes. Light pipes are rods or optical waveguide fibers which carry visible light from one location to another. They do not scatter the light, they deliver it wherever the light is needed. For example, I can use a plastic optical fiber as a light pipe to carry red light to my bed for night reading. I can deliver the light precisely where I want without disturbing anyone else in the room. I can easily control the laser with remote control and with USB power.

Learn some basics in laser diodes.

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