A next-generation source of laser light has been developed in Korea. A team led by Prof. Kwon O-dae of the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering at Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) said Tuesday it has developed the world’s first blue laser light source, which uses a semiconductor like light-emitting diodes (LED) but consumes less electricity and emits light faster. The LED semiconductor diode already performs 10 times better than incandescent light and lasts semi-permanently, being widely tipped as a next-generation light source. The blue laser light differs from LED in that it releases what is called “coherent light.”
“We attached donut-shaped tiny mirrors on the surface of the semiconductor, which means the laser light is emitted in a spiral way, spreading three-dimensionally,” Prof. Kwon said. “It not only emits light hundreds to thousands of times faster than LED when electric currents are applied but also consumes much less power.”
Having developed a red laser light source last year, the team has now made it possible to produce laser light in three primary colors. By applying yellow fluorescent materials to the blue laser light, white light for lighting can also be produced.
“While most patents for LED technologies belong to Japan, Korea secured patents for laser light technologies,” Kwon said. “We plan to work with Korean businesses to commercialize the technologies.”
The research was sponsored by Samsung Electronics and LG Innotek and will be presented at a special lecture hosted by the International Society for Optical Engineering in San Jose, the U.S., on Jan. 22.
