LASER
DIODE
What is Laser Diode?
A laser diode is an optoelectronic device,
which converts electrical energy into light
energy to produce high-intensity coherent
light. In a laser diode, the p-n junction of
the semiconductor diode acts as the laser
medium or active medium.
The working of the laser diode is almost
similar to the light-emitting diode (LED).
The main difference between the LED and
laser diode is that the LED emits
incoherent light whereas the laser diode
emits coherent light.
Laser Diode Construction
The laser diode is made of two doped gallium arsenide layers. One doped gallium arsenide layer will
produce an n-type semiconductor whereas another doped gallium arsenide layer will produce a p-type
semiconductor. In laser diodes, selenium, aluminum, and silicon are used as doping agents.
P-N junction
When a p-type layer is joined with the n-type layer, a p-n junction is formed. The point at which the p-type
and n-type layers are joined is called p-n junction. The p-n junction separates the p-type and n-type
semiconductors.
Main Steps Required For Producing a
Coherent Beam Of Light In Laser Diodes
Absorption Of Energy
Absorption of energy is the process of
absorbing energy from the external energy
sources.
In laser diodes, electrical energy or DC
voltage is used as the external energy source.
When the DC voltage or electrical energy
supplies enough energy to the valence
electrons or valence band electrons, they
break bonding with the parent atom and jump
into the higher energy level (conduction
band). The electrons in the conduction band
are known as free electrons.
Spontaneous Emission
Spontaneous emission is the process of emitting
light or photons naturally while electrons fall to
the lower energy state.
In laser diodes, the valence band electrons or
valence electrons are in the lower energy state.
Therefore, the holes generated after the valence
electrons left are also in the lower energy state.
Stimulated emission
Stimulated emission is the process by which
excited electrons or free electrons are
stimulated to fall into the lower energy state by
releasing energy in the form of light. The
stimulated emission is an artificial process.
In stimulated emission, the excited electrons or
free electrons need not wait for the completion
of their lifetime. Before the completion of their
lifetime, the incident or external photons will
force the free electrons to recombine with the
holes. In stimulated emission, each incident
photon will generate two photons.
How laser diode works?
When DC voltage is applied across the laser
diode, the free electrons move across the
junction region from the n-type material to
the p-type material. In this process, some
electrons will directly interact with the
valence electrons and excite them to a
higher energy level whereas some other
electrons will recombine with the holes in
the p-type semiconductor and release
energy in the form of light. This process of
emission is called spontaneous emission.
Applications Of
Laser
Diodes
Laser diodes are used in laser pointers.
Laser diodes are used in fiber optic
communications.
Laser diodes are used in barcode readers.
Laser diodes are used in laser printing.
Laser diodes are used in laser scanning.
Laser diodes are used in range finders.
Laser diodes are used in laser absorption
spectrometry.
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