Optical Navigation
A key sensing application is the next generation laser-based mouse that will consume less power than the current LED-based mouse and provide more consistent tracking on a wider range of surfaces. This technology is set to replace LED-based systems over the next few years.

Benefits of using VCSEL Technology:

• Higher tracking/navigation accuracy
• VCSELs work on nearly any surface, where LEDs work on only approximately 50% of surfaces
• Gaussian beam allows simpler optics
• Longer battery lifetime as VCSELs use 60-70% less power than LEDs
• VCSELs allow for smaller sized optical engines – leading the way for higher levels of functional integration at lower overall costs

Products that relate to this market:

• 850 nm single-mode VCSELs

Datacom
High speed multimode VCSELs are the light source of choice for short distance fiber-optical links.  Their excellent modulation properties, high reliability and single emission geometry has enabled VCSELs to dominate this market and replace conventional edge-emitting lasers.  The excellent reliability and high speed modulation properties of multimode VCSELs have revolutionized the short distance fiber optical communications market.

Benefits of VCSEL Technology:

• Excellent device reliability
• High modulation speed

Products that relate to this market:

• 850 nm High speed multimode VCSELs
• 850 nm Receiver optical subassemblies

Optical Encoder
VCSEL based systems offer significantly improved performance, smaller form factor and higher power efficiency compared to LED or edge emitting laser based optical encoder systems. This is a strongly growing market for high power single mode VCSELs.

Benefits of using VCSEL Technology:

• Gaussian beam profile simplifies encoder optics
• Single-mode emission increases resolution
• High temperature stability of emission wavelength increases operative temperature range

Products that relate to this market:

• 850 nm single-mode VCSELs
• 850nm High speed multimode VCSELs

Imaging
VCSELs improve the signal to noise properties of the cameras and enable the use of these cameras for outdoor applications. Details: The narrow spectral linewidth (20 times better than LEDs) and low temperature dependence of the emission spectrum (5-times better than LEDs) allow the use of narrow bandpass filter on the camera chip, improving the suppression of unwanted straylight.

Benefits of using VCSEL Technology:

• High temperature stability (Δλ/ΔT = 0.06 nm/K)
• Narrow spectral linewidth (< 0.8nm)
• Simple integration on board due to surface emission geometry

Products that relate to this market:

• 850 nm High power multimode VCSELs

Atomic Clock

The unique properties of the narrow line width single-mode VCSELs enable a new generation of ultra-small, high stability atomic clocks that will be used in end applications such as mobile communication systems.

Benefits of VCSEL Technology:

• Compact device size
• Clock precision up to 10-¹¹ …10-¹²
• Low power consumption (10mW)

Products that relate to this market:

• 795 nm single-mode VCSEL

Gas Sensing

Short wavelength tunable single-mode VCSELs are used to remotely and accurately measure oxygen concentrations for a broad variety of applications in industrial, healthcare and biomedical markets.

Benefits of VCSEL Technology:

• Fast, remote, high resolution O2 sensing
• Low power consumption (10mW)
• No movable parts

Products that relate to this market:

• 760 nm single-mode VCSELs