A new compact continuous-wave green laser with line beam

We report a compact high-power continuous-wave green laser for a scanning laser projector using one-dimensional diffractive spatial modulators (GxL modulators). The green laser oscillates in one-dimensional multi-transversal modes and generates a beam in a line from a periodically-poled stoichiometric lithium tantalate (PPSLT) crystal inside the laser cavity. The line beam enables diffraction-limited focusing in one direction and can be easily transformed into a top-hat beam because of the low spatial coherency in the multi-transversal-mode direction. The maximum output green power is 7.2W when pumped at a LD current of 24 A. The input electrical-power efficiency to the green output is as high as 16% at 6W green power output. We used the laser to build compact, air-cooled laser modules with a cavity footprint as small as 50 mm 2 . The laser showed no degradation over 8,500 hours at 3W output.