VCSELs from visible to NIR
A range of VCSEL (vertical cavity surface emitting laser) laser diodes are supplied featuring narrow linewidths (<0.1nm), visible to NIR wavelengths, single longitudinal mode (SLM) and multiple longitudinal mode, generally lower output divergence to other edge-emitting lasers, higher production reliability due to in-line testing leading to generally lower pricing that is not possible with other laser chips tested after end of the production process, and typically with lower output power (<5mW) than DFB (distributed feedback) laser diodes offering otherwise similar spectral properties.
Typically supplied in TO-46 packages, with optional window forms or fibre coupled, these VCSELs suit small form factor or a low operating current, e.g. portable scanners. Additional applications include position sensing, medical devices and, of course, data transmission systems using glass or plastic optical fibres (POF).