Recent developments in visible light sources

Abstract

This paper reviews some of the areas of development of compact efficient blue-light sources via frequency upconversion from low-power infrared diode lasers. The two main approaches reviewed are upconversion fibre lasers and second-harmonic generation. Through these upconversion techniques, blue powers in the several mW range can already be achieved starting with [Note: See the image of page 779 for this formatted text] $\prec $ 100 mW of diode-laser power. Issues which remain to be solved include the development of cheap and simple means of frequency control and stabilization if these sources are to meet the needs of widespread consumer-oriented applications in compact disc systems.