Modification of the topology of selected regions of individual VCSEL devices during fabrication is utilized to provide an array output beam with specific characteristics (e.g., “uniform” output power across the array). These physical features include at least the width of the metal aperture, the width of the oxide aperture, and/or the geometry of the contact ring structure on the top of the VCSEL device. The modifications may also function to adjust the numerical apertures (NAs) of the devices, the beam waist, wallplug efficiency, and the like.

Modification of the topology of selected regions of individual VCSEL devices during fabrication is utilized to provide an array output beam with specific characteristics (e.g., “uniform” output power across the array). These physical features include at least the width of the metal aperture, the width of the oxide aperture, and/or the geometry of the contact ring structure on the top of the VCSEL device. The modifications may also function to adjust the numerical apertures (NAs) of the devices, the beam waist, wallplug efficiency, and the like.

A light source includes a substrate with a first surface and an opposite second surface. An epitaxial layer is positioned on the first surface of the substrate. The light source also includes at least one light generator in the epitaxial layer positioned such that an optical signal transmitted thereby is directed toward the substrate. A diffuser is positioned on the second surface of the substrate, and at least one monitor photodetector is positioned in the epitaxial layer in an arrangement configured to receive a portion of the optical signal which is reflected by the diffuser. In one form, the light generator may include a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL).

A current control device supplies a current to a semiconductor laser in order to output laser light to the semiconductor laser, and includes a current commander and a supplier. The current commander outputs a command value corresponding to a current value by increasing the command value with a lapse of time until reaching a target command value corresponding to a current value for outputting the laser light with a predetermined strength. The supplier supplies a current with a size corresponding to the command value output by the current commander to the semiconductor laser.

A current control device supplies a current to a semiconductor laser in order to output laser light to the semiconductor laser, and includes a current commander and a supplier. The current commander outputs a command value corresponding to a current value by increasing the command value with a lapse of time until reaching a target command value corresponding to a current value for outputting the laser light with a predetermined strength. The supplier supplies a current with a size corresponding to the command value output by the current commander to the semiconductor laser.

Systems, methods, and other embodiments for utilizing electrical and digital technologies for monitoring and controlling laser sources from an entirely separate location are disclosed. In particular, the present invention relates to using any radio frequency signal in conjunction with driving and control capabilities for application with TO-style laser diodes and TO-style solid-state laser devices of any, and all powers, currents, or voltages.

A wiring board includes: an insulating member having a first upper surface, and a second upper surface located higher than the first upper surface; and a first wiring layer located on the first upper surface. The first upper surface has a wiring region that does not overlap with the second upper surface in a top view, and that is located in an exposed region. The first wiring layer extends from the wiring region to a connecting region that is connected to the wiring region, that overlaps with the second upper surface in a top view, and that is not exposed. The first wiring layer comprises a first pad portion located in the wiring region, and a first pattern portion located in the connecting region.

The light source control apparatus controls drive of multiple light sources included in a light source unit to be used in a state where the multiple light sources are lit. The multiple light sources each include multiple light-emitting elements. The light source control apparatus includes an acquirer acquiring temporal information relating to a temporal change of each of the light sources, an estimator acquiring an estimated lifetime of each of the multiple light sources by using the temporal information, and a controller decreasing, when the multiple light sources include a first light source whose estimated lifetime is shorter than a target lifetime set for the light source unit, a light emission amount of the first light source.

The invention relates to a light module including a laser source capable of emitting a coherent light beam of given wavelength, a first sensor capable of picking up a first light signal of a wavelength lying in a first band of wavelengths centered around the given wavelength and a second sensor capable of picking up a second light signal of a wavelength lying in a second band of wavelengths centered around a wavelength distinct from the given wavelength. In particular, the light module includes a detection module capable of comparing at least one value that is a function of the signals to a threshold value and of commanding the stopping of the laser source as a function of the comparison.

A laser navigational system for a vehicle having a lighting assembly configured for emission of light. A lens array assembly receives incoming light from the lighting assembly and changes the direction of the incoming light received from the lighting assembly such that the outgoing light emanating from the lens array assembly is collimated in a first direction but diverges along a different, second direction. A scanning unit aligns with the lighting assembly to direct the collimated beam in two orthogonal directions. The lighting assembly, the lens array assembly and the scanning unit are configured to direct the light to form a visual beacon that guides navigation of the vehicle to a location.