
Blue multi-mode laser diodes to boost cars’ high beams
Driving at dusk or at night puts great strain on the driver’s eyes and reduces their ability to concentrate. Used as a light source for auxiliary high beam which illuminates the roads further than conventional high beam, Osram’s PLPT9 450D_E A01 laser could make driving at night safer. At a typical operating current of 2.2A, the blue PLPT9 450D_E A01 laser reaches an optical output of 3.5W and emits blue light with a wavelength of 447nm. With the help of appropriate optics, the laser light is focused at a point only a few micrometers in diameter. A special phosphor converter converts the blue light into white light required for front lighting applications. The luminance achieved is three times higher than that of an LED light source. In comparison, the laser produces 600 cd/mm² while LEDs deliver around 200 cd/mm².
The PLPT9 450D_E A01 laser diode qualified for use in cars is approved for an operating temperature range of -40°C to 120°C. Compared to the first generation with three pins, the TO90 package contains only two pins, which allows for much easier connection and heat dissipation. Thanks to the laser’s compact dimensions (9 mm in diameter and less than 4.5mm high without the contact pins), headlights can be built much smaller too.
Osram Opto Semiconductors www.osram-os.com
