BluGlass, Ganvix Partner to Develop Green Gallium Nitride VCSELs

Semiconductor technology company BluGlass has signed a paid development agreement with Ganvix Inc., a developer of gallium nitride (GaN) VCSELs, to develop GaN VCSELs for green wavelengths (515 to 525 nm).

Under the paid development agreement, BluGlass will provide Ganvix with green quantum-well epitaxy services using its proprietary remote plasma chemical vapor deposition (RPCVD) technology. BluGlass’ technology offers key performance advantages for green wavelengths, to enable higher power and brighter green performance.

During the initial development phases, BluGlass will receive payment for services. Upon successful commercialization, BluGlass expects to receive material revenues from ongoing orders.

Surface-emitting lasers such as VCSELs require distributed Bragg mirrors to enable their unique properties. While such mirrors have been successful in other materials, they have been prohibitively difficult to fabricate in GaN.

Green GaN VCSEL lasers have broad market applications including in consumer electronics, industrial, medical, life sciences, light engines for laser scanning displays, and laser arrays for fiber-based communications.

BluGlass and Ganvix partnered to develop green GaN VCSEL technology. Longer wavelength lasers, such as green VCSELs, support a range of applications including displays and optical communications. Courtesy of BluGlass.

According to Jim Haden, president of BluGlass, the company’s remote plasma chemical vapor deposition (RPCVD) technology provides commercial benefits for longer-wavelength lasers that include green. BluGlass’ low-temperature, low-hydrogen growth technology enables brighter, higher performing green quantum-wells, Haden said.

BluGlass announced the agreement less than one week after the company reported its demonstration of the feasible reliability of its GaN laser diodes. BluGlass demonstrated more than 500 h of continuous operation with stable optical power and voltage in its reliability testing.

Ganvix signed the agreement after inking a deal last month to extend its relationship with the Taiwan-based Industrial Technology Research Institute. Ganvix also recently said it completed development of its first blue GaN lasers.