Ultra-fine pitch individually addressable visible laser arrays for high speed digital printing applications

An individually addressable visible semiconductor laser diode array with a 20 μm pitch is demonstrated that is highly suited for deployment in next-generation digital print systems. The array, operating at 660 nm, comprises 22 single mode lasers fabricated on a single GaInP/AlGaInP/GaAs substrate. The laser array is flip-chip bonded onto a patterned ceramic submount that enables the individual elements to be driven independently and is integrated into a 26-pin butterfly package. Arrays tested CW exhibit low threshold current (<20 mA per emitter), up to 50 mW output power per channel with a high slope efficiency (0.9 W/A) and a high characteristic temperature of over 100 K.