You may have used Laser Diode
(also called as semiconductor diode) in your everyday events without even
knowing how it actually works. From CD to DVD players, even all Laser printers,
barcode readers etc use Laser module/ diode technology. Since from its
invention (in 1962), it has been used in several commercial, industrial, even
in scientific applications.
What is Laser Diode?
It is well known as
semiconductor diode and injection diode. It is an electric component emits
lights. Some of the types of diodes are LEDs, voltage regulation diodes, Zener
diode, photo diode, PIN diode etc.
Basically, a laser module/
diode is similar to LEDs, they both are smaller in size, emit lights. However,
the only disparity is the laser diode’s light is brighter and powerful. Unlike diode,
LEDs produce incoherent light that is unorganized and diffused light.
The characteristics of light
produced by laser are:
- It emits a single color light.
- It has more consistency
- The ray of the light is sturdy and tight
How it works –
The laser has a terminal at one
side that collects power from an energy source. The power enters the terminal,
charges the positive end, and collides with the holes in the negative end,
which eventually result the free of energy in form of lights.
All the lights produced come
through a semiconductor layers are restricted within a narrow tunnel with
mirrors at the end, which works as a waveguide. As photons bounce in the tunnel,
it collides with the other charged electrons, which results emitting beams in a
wide or cone-shaped manner.
Laser diode has a converge lens, which bends the
beam turning it into very strong and tight ray.
As already said, laser diode is very small in size;
hence, its power is relatively low. Making it dealing with all consumers’
electronic equipments to generate higher power, a group of diodes is used.
Its Uses –
Laser Modules / diodes are used
in CD/DVD players. Various companies like Sony, Panasonic and other manufacturing
companies use laser diodes.
Laser diodes use one color,
which is red. However, with the advanced technology, now it can create green and
blue beams too. The blue-ray discs use this new technique.
So friend, this is all about laser
module/ diode. As you have learned what laser diode is and how it works, next
time you employ a laser pointer, watch a movie on your DVD / CD player, or purchase
an item with a barcode, you would know laser module/ diode is at work.
