Infrared Laser Diode for Industrial LiDAR Applications

Our many years of experience in the development of infrared lasers and close cooperation with leading companies in the LiDAR field have given us a unique position in the market," explains Matthias Hoenig, Marketing Manager for LiDAR at ams OSRAM. No matter which LiDAR application is used, the functionality of these systems is always very similar. A light source emits infrared light into the environment. When the light hits an object, it is reflected by the object and registered by a detector. Based on the time it takes the light to reach the object and back to the detector, the distance or structure of the object can be determined. The SPL TL90AT03 from ams OSRAM was specifically developed for short laser pulses between 5 and 100 nanoseconds. The laser achieves an optical output of 65 watts from an aperture of 110 μm at a forward current of 20 A – corresponding to an outstanding efficiency of about 34 percent. The device comes in the proven and extremely rugged TO56 MetalCan package. The infrared component emits light in the established wavelength of 905 nanometers for LiDAR applications and is also suitable for a range of other applications thanks to its compact dimensions.

Another advantage of the laser is the particularly narrow emission width (the area in which the light leaves the component). It allows the use of compact optics and thus reduces the overall size of the system. In addition, the laser is available in another pin configuration as the SPL UL90AT03.