April 12, 2006 – Osram Opto Semiconductors says its laser bars have achieved a efficiency record of 808nm at optical output of 120W, under a project sponsored by the German government, double the mark of conventional devices, with potential use in future solid-state lasers.

The company worked with Dilas Diodenlaser GmbH to combine their technology expertise — Osram with chip fabrication, and Dilas with assembly and cooling systems. Their work is part of the BRILASI research project, initiated by Germany’s Ministry for Education and Research to develop highly efficient and reliable diode lasers for industrial applications.

The laser bars are prototypes for new diode lasers, designed primarily to pump solid-state lasers in a variety of applications with increased output, or smaller, more reliable systems with the same output. Applications previously reserved for solid-state lasers, such as surface processing, now will be open to diode lasers, the company noted. The new output mark translates into a 10% efficiency increase, stated Ellen Sizemore, Osram’s North American director, LED and IR products group.