40-Channel Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) Array

Ricoh has developed an original VCSEL Array as one of the key-technologies to realize high definition and high-speed printing.

Conventional commercial printing and mass printing are dominated by offset printers. Digitization, however, has been under way in this field in recent years, with increased demand for variable printing (personalization) and liaising with digital image processing. One result of Ricoh’s proactive response to these needs is a newly developed 40-channel Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) Array (Figure 1).

Ricoh’s VCSEL achieved the industry’s highest density (4800dpi), with the ability to emit 40 laser beams simultaneously as a light source for the optical recording device of a production printer or high-speed copier. This achieves high-speed and high-definition printing equal to that of offset printing, resulting in vivid images and crisp and clean characters/narrow lines.

VCSEL is a surface emitting laser diode that features the fabrication of a two-dimensional arrangement of the beam; density of the laser beam can be significantly increased in a smaller space than with the conventional edge type laser diode. No commercialized VCSEL for digital printers and copier machine was before possible, however, because of difficulties in fabricating a high-power VCSEL that satisfied printer specifications. Ricoh has successfully overcome those difficulties by developing this original VCSEL designed with a high-quality vertical cavity.

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Figure 2 shows the tire track of all 40 beams emitting from Ricoh’s VCSEL. Ricoh developed this 40-beam writing unit —a world first. With this achievement, Ricoh’s printing technology boasts the industry’s highest pixel density (4800dpi).

The goals of VCSEL research and development were the industry’s highest pixel definition, its highest printing speed, and its highest-reliability in obtaining stable image quality. To achieve these goals, Ricoh developed the following additional technologies derived from the 40-channel VCSEL.

（1）Technologies for high pixel density to improve image quality

One feature of Ricoh’s VCSEL is its 40-channel bits arranged in a space of less than 1mm². An original VCSEL driver was developed to expand the 40 beams to the industry’s highest density pixels on paper. This driver sharply improves response in optical output, and slanted narrow lines and isolated dots excel in image reproducibility. The driver chip is placed beside the VCSEL chip and controls the 40 beams individually by high-speed modulation.

（2）Device design of the high power VCSEL for high-speed printing

To gain high printing speed, a high power writing unit with high quality optical beams was required. In developing the VCSEL, to satisfy this requirement, Ricoh developed an original active layer and optical filter layer for the 40-channel VCSEL. An active layer with high efficiency and improved thermal conductivity was realized using a new material with low thermal resistance. And high optical quality was achieved using an original new filter, which suppresses higher modes. As a result, Ricoh’s VCSEL leads the industry with the highest output power with high quality optical beams.

（3）VCSEL reliability with stable image quality during printing

To ensure high-quality printing of images, stability of the light source is an important characteristic of the writing unit. Ricoh's VCSEL achieves long-time beam stability, long-life, and good element robustness by employing newly developed process technologies and a highly thermal conductive structure.

With these solutions, Ricoh has made it possible to form images at higher speed and quality than ever.

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Ricoh's 40-channel VCSEL was adopted for a highly efficient production printer—RICOH Pro C751 EX/C651EX—which will be on sale in 2011