Coherent Achieves Milestone of Shipping More Than 200 Billion VCSEL Emitters for Sensing

Rhea-AI Summary

Coherent Corp. has shipped over 200 billion VCSEL emitters for sensing applications. The company started working on VCSEL arrays in 2013 and scaled production capabilities in 2017. Coherent believes VCSELs will expand into new applications like smart watches and smart glasses. The company has also announced a new VCSEL module technology for ultracompact pattern projectors and sensing subsystems.

PITTSBURGH, Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Coherent Corp. (NYSE: COHR), a global leader in optical sensing, today announced that it has shipped more than 200 billion vertical-cavity surface-emitting semiconductor laser (VCSEL) emitters to date for sensing.

“In 2013, we began working on two-dimensional VCSEL arrays for 3D sensing in smart phones,” said Dr. Giovanni Barbarossa, Coherent Chief Strategy Officer and President, Materials Segment. “We scaled our production capabilities from 3-inch to 6-inch wafers in 2017, just in time to help enable the market launch of the first smartphones with facial biometrics. We believe sensing applications based on semiconductor lasers will continue to expand into new and exciting applications such as in smart watches for health monitoring and in smart glasses for extended reality. VCSELs will also continue to enable a growing market for in-cabin sensing and LiDAR in automotive.”

Coherent continues to innovate in sensing through vertical integration of differentiated technologies. The company recently announced a new VCSEL module technology that enables ultracompact pattern projectors, flood illuminators, and tightly integrated sensing subsystems. This patented module technology relies on an innovative flip-chip assembly of backside-emitting VCSEL arrays on application-specific integrated circuits and supports the integration of photodetector arrays.

Coherent offers a broad portfolio of components for sensing, including semiconductor laser diodes in the near-, shortwave-, and mid-infrared wavelength ranges; photodiodes; diffractive meta-optics; and laser driver ICs, as well as optoelectronic assemblies and illumination modules.

About Coherent

Coherent empowers market innovators to define the future through breakthrough technologies, from materials to systems. We deliver innovations that resonate with our customers in diversified applications for the industrial, communications, electronics, and instrumentation markets. Headquartered in Saxonburg, Pennsylvania, Coherent has research and development, manufacturing, sales, service, and distribution facilities worldwide. For more information, please visit us at coherent.com.

Contact

Mark Lourie
Vice President, Corporate Communications
corporate.communications@coherent.com

FAQ

What is the company that made the announcement?

The company that made the announcement is Coherent Corp.

What is the significance of the announcement?

The announcement states that Coherent Corp. has shipped more than 200 billion VCSEL emitters for sensing applications.

When did Coherent Corp. start working on VCSEL arrays for 3D sensing?

Coherent Corp. started working on VCSEL arrays for 3D sensing in 2013.

What did Coherent Corp. scale their production capabilities to in 2017?

Coherent Corp. scaled their production capabilities from 3-inch to 6-inch wafers in 2017.

What are some potential future applications for VCSELs?

Coherent Corp. believes VCSELs will expand into applications such as smart watches for health monitoring and smart glasses for extended reality.

What recent technology has Coherent Corp. announced?

Coherent Corp. has announced a new VCSEL module technology for ultracompact pattern projectors, flood illuminators, and sensing subsystems.