Multi-junction long-wavelength laser diode in long range LiDAR for high speed autonomous vehicles

Sidi Aboujja; Daniel Chu; David Bean

doi:10.1117/12.2618326

3 June 2022 Multi-junction long-wavelength laser diode in long range LiDAR for high speed autonomous vehicles

Sidi Aboujja, Daniel Chu, David Bean

Proceedings Volume 12110, Laser Radar Technology and Applications XXVII; 1211004 (2022) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2618326
Event: SPIE Defense + Commercial Sensing, 2022, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

We benchmark long range ToF LiDAR with laser emitter at 905nm vs. 1550nm. Based on IEC eye safety standards, a high-power laser diode at 1550nm with 100W peak power can deliver 80 times more photon count compared to 905nm out of a LiDAR emitter. Considering detection distance, target reflectivity, and atmospheric media loss, a LiDAR with such power output at 1550nm can outperform 905nm by more than 60 times in SNR and 24 times higher in detection probability at a distance longer than 200m. At longer range of 250m, a single 1550nm emitter can function nicely in both clear sky and low visibility conditions with 20% target reflectivity. To achieve such high performance at 1550nm an innovative multi-junction laser structure has been developed. We present a triple junction high-power laser diode at 1550nm based on AlInGaAs/InP materials. The laser stacks three AlInGaAs lasers epitaxially connected by two tunnel junctions and grown on InP substrate. The monolithic laser structure with tunnel junction layers is designed in a way to reduce the stress and improve the heat dissipation. Each tunnel junctions is formed with an n-type InGaAs layer and a ptype InGaAs layer. The active area of each junction comprises AlInGaAs barrier and quantum well layers. The design leads to three times the output power of a single junction laser and reaches 1W/A slope efficiency. Over 100W peak optical power at 100A with a 350m aperture and 10 nsec pulse width is demonstrated. A low operating voltage is achieved with such triple junction design, thus the wall-plug efficiency is two times better. Given the required detection distance over 200m, a long-range LiDAR with a triple-junction 1550nm laser diode may enable high-speed autonomous vehicles with confidence.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Sidi Aboujja, Daniel Chu, and David Bean "Multi-junction long-wavelength laser diode in long range LiDAR for high speed autonomous vehicles", Proc. SPIE 12110, Laser Radar Technology and Applications XXVII, 1211004 (3 June 2022); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2618326

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