Mitsubishi Electric has introduced its ML501P73 red laser diode, offering 1W of pulsed output power at 638nm. The company claims that this is the world's highest commercially available power rating for a red laser diode.
The diode's luminosity exceeds 120lm and it provides a electrical conversion ratio of 35 per cent at 25°C . The diode is well suited to pico projectors or other portable display systems requiring a high brightness red light source. Within the operating range of -5 to +40°C the pulsed laser diode emits an output power of 1W with a duty cycle of less than 33% at a frequency of more than 50Hz, while the continuous power output is rated 0.5W.
In CW operation at 25°C the laser diode consumes a typical threshold current of 170mA. Operation voltage and current in CW mode at 25°C are specified with 2.2V/660mA for an output power of 500mW. The new device is available in a capless package with a diameter of 5.6mm.