News: Optoelectronics
11 March 2025
BluGlass boosts single-mode GaN laser chip output by 67% to record 1250mW
BluGlass Ltd of Silverwater, Australia has reported what is reckoned to be record single-spatial-mode power of 1250mW from a single gallium nitride (GaN) laser chip, an increase of more than 67% from the prior 750mW (reported as recently as January, at Photonics West 2025, demonstrating the rapid growth of the firm’s technology capabilities).
The latest performance was enabled by combining a blue (450nm) single-mode laser with an integrated master oscillator power amplifier in a single monolithic chip (SM-MOPA).
BluGlass’ high-power single-mode MOPA combines the benefits of a single-mode laser and small-form-factor advantages for high-precision applications with the performance advantages of a high-brightness, high-power laser. This offers crucial benefits for next-generation applications where precise and stable performance is essential for next-generation defence and aviation, quantum sensing and navigation, space and satellite communications, and underwater LiDAR.
“These lasers pave the way for scaling power at high fidelity — producing stable laser beams that can be more easily and cost-effectively packaged to meet the demands of next-generation applications where precise and stable performance is essential,” says CEO Jim Haden.
“Most high-powered visible lasers sacrifice beam quality and precision to achieve more power in larger form factors. Our advanced integration capabilities will enable industry to pioneer innovations by increasing power without sacrificing precision and beam stability. We achieved these world-leading results by combining our blue single-mode laser with a power amplifier that boosts the laser’s power with minimal beam distortion or increase in noise,” he adds.
“Single-mode GaN lasers are highly sought after for their high precision and high fidelity, despite being challenging to manufacture at high powers. The advantage of the monolithic chip design is significant, in that we can manufacture high-fidelity power and performance at the wafer level, drastically improving size, weight and cost for defence applications, and eliminating several downstream packaging steps. Our expertise in manufacturing these intricate lasers is one of BluGlass’ key competitive advantages,” Haden continues.
Also since its Photonics West paper published in January, BluGlass has more than quadrupled the power output of its distributed feedback (DFB) family of devices from the 100mW range to 450mW, while maintaining near-single-frequency output and high side-mode suppression for enhanced signal-to-noise ratio. This was achieved by combining a blue (450nm) single-mode DFB laser with an integrated master oscillator power amplifier, in a single monolithic chip (DFB-MOPA).
BluGlass’ GaN DFBs are being designed for wafer-scale fabrication to reduce downstream optical complexity and cost, at the same time as addressing critical challenges in quantum technologies and computing while enabling greater production volume and smaller device sizes.
The firm’s enhanced integration capabilities and device architectures are designed to address key application challenges and to enhance the power and versatility of visible GaN lasers where power, precision and tunability are required.
“Our strategic focus on scaling power at high fidelity for the precision market — amplified single-mode and DFB lasers — that led to this world-record single-mode visible power and the quadrupling of power in our narrow-linewidth lasers is a direct response to market demand,” notes Haden. “Our ability to satisfy unmet market needs is why BluGlass continues to be selected as partner of choice by industry leaders, including the US Department of Defense’s Microelectronics Commons.”
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BluGlass showcases new product capability for quantum applications at Photonics West
BluGlass enters into contract with NCSU for visible laser development as part of CLAWS Hub
