EMCORE Corporation recently announced the introduction of the Model 1790 1550 nm High-Power Laser Module for LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and Optical Sensing. The 1790 laser module was developed for use as a CW (Continuous Wavelength) coherent optical source for next generation FMCW (Frequency Modulation Continuous Wavelength) LiDAR systems. A custom version of this product has already been adopted by a major provider of LiDAR systems for its anticipated use in autonomous vehicles.
The underlying technology for the Model 1790 has been in development for over 3 years and was designed to address demanding applications in industrial sensing and measurement. The 1790 achieves extremely narrow line-widths combined with a high efficiency coupling scheme to enable high optical output power of 18 dBm, creating a compact, robust solution for FMCW sensing. Its monolithic design, combined with optimized coupling optics, makes it highly immune to the mode or optical frequency hopping typically found with single isolator, external cavity designs. EMCORE’s LiDAR laser technology maintains optical frequency stability over temperature, suppressing false readings caused by the mode or frequency hopping which is typical in conventional designs.
Gyo Shinozaki, Vice President and General Manager of Broadband for EMCORE mentioned in the press release that they are extremely excited about the development of their laser technology for LiDAR and optical sensing and see it supporting a broad array of industrial applications beyond autonomous vehicles including materials characterization, strain measurement, terahertz-spectroscopy, interferometry, position and interference measurement, and other applications. He added that heir vertical integration allows for different wavelengths to be available for custom applications and form factors, including packaged component or micro-optical subassembly.
