Sharp has already made a name in the dome of high definition TVs with its world’s largest LCD panel. Now, it looks like the company also wants to steal the ‘world’s smallest’ title in the laser diode market. They have taken wraps off a new blue-violet diode for current generation optical players, which they are claiming to be the world’s smallest for Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD formats. Measuring a mere 3.3-mm in diameter, the GH04020A4G semiconductor is a 406-nm laser with 210-mW optical power output with a 10,000-hour lifetime at 75 degrees C. The new laser diode will begin shipping as samples costing $99 each starting June 13th while the mass production is scheduled for July. Sharp’s new diode outstrip Nichia’s 130- and 180-mW diodes in terms of output power.
Via: Engadget
