Definition of GaAlAs laser

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Photonics Dictionary

GaAlAs laser: A GaAlAs laser is a type of semiconductor laser diode that emits light in the near-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. It is composed of layers of gallium, aluminum, and arsenic, hence the abbreviation GaAlAs, which stands for gallium aluminum arsenide. This type of laser is widely used in various applications due to its specific properties and advantages.

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Here are some key features and characteristics of GaAlAs lasers:

Composition: GaAlAs lasers are made from a combination of gallium (Ga), aluminum (Al), and arsenic (As) atoms. These elements are semiconductor materials commonly used in the fabrication of laser diodes due to their properties, such as bandgap energy and lattice matching.

Wavelength: GaAlAs lasers typically emit light in the near-infrared (NIR) region of the spectrum, with wavelengths ranging from around 650 nm to 900 nm, depending on the specific composition and design of the laser structure. This wavelength range is often used in various applications, including telecommunications, medical devices, and industrial processes.

Direct bandgap semiconductor: Gallium arsenide (GaAs) and aluminum gallium arsenide (AlGaAs) are direct bandgap semiconductors, meaning that they can emit light efficiently when electrons recombine with holes across the bandgap. This property allows GaAlAs lasers to operate with high efficiency and low threshold current.

Tunable wavelengths: GaAlAs lasers can be engineered to emit light at specific wavelengths within the NIR spectrum by adjusting the composition and doping levels of the semiconductor layers. This tunability makes them suitable for various applications where specific wavelengths are required, such as medical diagnostics and spectroscopy.

High power and efficiency: GaAlAs lasers can achieve high output power and efficiency, making them suitable for applications requiring intense light sources, such as laser therapy, laser surgery, and materials processing.

Compact and robust: GaAlAs lasers are typically small in size and robust in construction, making them suitable for integration into compact and portable devices. They are widely used in laser diode modules, laser pointers, barcode scanners, and optical sensors.

Low cost: GaAlAs lasers are relatively inexpensive to manufacture compared to other types of lasers, making them economically viable for mass production and widespread deployment in consumer electronics and industrial applications.

GaAlAs lasers find applications in various fields, including:

Telecommunications: Optical fiber communication systems, fiber optic sensors.

Medical: Laser therapy, surgery, photodynamic therapy, optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Industrial: Laser marking, cutting, welding, material processing.

Consumer electronics: Laser diode modules, laser pointers, DVD/Blu-ray players.

Overall, GaAlAs lasers offer a versatile and cost-effective solution for numerous applications requiring reliable and efficient light sources in the near-infrared spectrum.

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