Blue Lasers

The short wavelengths of blue lasers are ideal for achieving high resolution in printing systems and high density in optical storage.

A worldwide leader in blue laser research, PARC developed its first blue laser in 1997 and demonstrated continuously operating blue lasers – an important milestone toward commercial viability – in early 1999. Since then PARC scientists have developed advanced blue laser devices optimized for printing and demonstrated the first Q-switched blue laser diode for high-speed data transfer and generation of short, high-power optical pulses.

The shorter wavelengths of blue lasers are expected to enable higher resolution in printing systems and higher density in optical storage systems. Blue lasers could enable future laser printing systems to approach offset quality and will quadruple the content of DVDs. The basis for the recently released HDTV standard for DVDs, blue laser technology plays a key role in the multibilllion-dollar consumer electronics industry.