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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

VCSEL applications in sensors and microsystems

Conference ·
OSTI ID:658411

Vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) are uniquely suited to miniaturized free-space optical systems in which surface-mounting and hybrid assembly techniques can be used to combine different technologies together. Two examples are described of such microsystems that are being developed for sensing applications. The first example is a optical position sensing system for rotating parts. Progress on fabricating similar systems by flip-chip bonding techniques is then discussed. The second example is a chemical sensing/analysis system which uses a miniature fluorescence detection module that is based on surface-mounted VCSELs and diffractive optical elements. The detection module is integrated with a capillary electrochromatography separation system and uses substrate-mode light propagation to focus the VCSEL beam on the capillary channel.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000
OSTI ID:
658411
Report Number(s):
SAND--98-1235C; CONF-980117--; ON: DE98005539; BR: DP0102022
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English