Laser chips are one of the core components in optical communication and LiDAR systems. Although both rely on laser technology, laser chips used in optical communication and LiDAR have significant differences in design and characteristics due to their different application scenarios, performance requirements, and working principles. Here are their main differences:

Laser chips are one of the core components in optical communication and LiDAR systems. Although both rely on laser technology, laser chips used in optical communication and LiDAR have significant differences in design and characteristics due to their different application scenarios, performance requirements, and working principles. Here are their main differences:

1. Laser wavelength

• Optical communication laser chip：

• The lasers used in optical communication systems typically operate in1550nmand1310nmWithin the wavelength range. The reason is that the optical signals corresponding to these wavelengths have smaller propagation losses in optical fibers, making them suitable for long-distance transmission.

• The 1550nm wavelength has low attenuation and is compatible with common fiber materials such as single-mode fibers, making it widely used in long-distance and high-speed data transmission.

• Lidar laser chip：

• The commonly used wavelengths in LiDAR are quite diverse, including905nm、1550nmand1064nmWait.

• Due to the need for high-precision ranging in LiDAR, lasers with shorter wavelengths (such as 905nm) are often chosen to achieve better resolution and shorter pulse widths.

• The 1550nm laser radar has become a popular choice because of its relatively safe eye safety standard (Class 1), especially in the field of autonomous vehicle.

2. Laser power

• Optical communication laser chip：

• Laser chips in optical communication typically require lower output power, typically in the milliwatt (mW) range. Due to the fact that optical communication transmits data streams rather than detecting reflected signals, the power requirements are relatively low.

• Power stability and modulation performance (such as modulation bandwidth) are key elements in laser design for optical communication systems.

• Lidar laser chip：

• Lidar lasers typically require higher output power to ensure that laser signals can cover longer distances and be reflected back. The laser power is usually a few watts (W) or even higher.

• High power lasers can ensure effective reflection of laser beams over a large range and provide accurate distance measurement data.

3. Laser pulse width

• Optical communication laser chip：

• In optical communication, lasers typically use continuous wave (CW) mode, which continuously emits optical signals. Its signal waveform is stable and suitable for long-term data transmission.

• The modulation method (such as intensity modulation, phase modulation) determines the transmission capability and bandwidth of optical communication lasers.

• Lidar laser chip：

• The laser in the laser radar system is usually usedpulse laserTechnology refers to the emission of high-energy light pulses that are concentrated in a short period of time. The duration of the pulse is very short, usually in the nanosecond (ns) range, to ensure that detection and reflection can be completed in a shorter time.

• Pulsed lasers help measure the precise distance of targets and support higher precision 3D scanning.

4. Beam divergence angle and focusing performance

• Optical communication laser chip：

• Optical communication lasers generally require very small beams of light to transmit signals through optical fibers, thus typically having smaller divergence angles and higher focusing capabilities.

• Lidar laser chip：

• Lidar needs to scan the surrounding environment extensively with a laser beam, so it needs to be designed with a large divergence angle to ensure that the lidar can detect objects over a large range.

• Lidar also needs to have strong focusing performance to ensure accuracy at long distances.

5. Cost and packaging

• Optical communication laser chip：

• Due to the huge demand and mature technology in the optical communication market, the manufacturing process and material costs of optical communication laser chips are relatively standardized, and are usually usedInGaAsWaiting for semiconductor materials and relatively simple packaging.

• Optical communication laser chips generally require high-precision temperature control and stability design to ensure long-term reliable data transmission.

• Lidar laser chip：

• The cost of laser radar is relatively high, especially for high-power and high-precision laser radar chips that require complex manufacturing processes.

• The packaging technology requires high requirements, including consideration of the focusing and scattering effects of the laser beam, as well as ensuring heat dissipation management during long-term high-power operation.

6. Safety requirements

• Optical communication laser chip：

• Due to the typically low power of optical communication lasers, the requirements for eye safety are relatively relaxed.

• Most optical communication lasers operate in the low power range, typicallyClass 1Laser does not cause harm to the eyes.

• Lidar laser chip：

• The laser power of LiDAR is relatively high, especially in long-distance detection and large-scale scanning, so it needs to meet strict eye safety standards. The laser used in some laser radars needs to meet the requirementsClass 1perhapsClass 3RThe safety standards ensure that users will not be harmed within normal operating distances.

summarize

Although both optical communication lasers and LiDAR lasers rely on laser technology, their core difference lies in the differences in application requirements. Optical communication lasers focus more on power control and long-distance data transmission, while laser radar lasers require high power, short pulse, and wide-angle emission to provide accurate spatial ranging and environmental detection capabilities. Choosing the appropriate laser chip is crucial for ensuring the performance, stability, and safety of the system.

1. Laser wavelength

• Optical communication laser chip：

• The lasers used in optical communication systems typically operate in1550nmand1310nmWithin the wavelength range. The reason is that the optical signals corresponding to these wavelengths have smaller propagation losses in optical fibers, making them suitable for long-distance transmission.

• The 1550nm wavelength has low attenuation and is compatible with common fiber materials such as single-mode fibers, making it widely used in long-distance and high-speed data transmission.

• Lidar laser chip：

• The commonly used wavelengths in LiDAR are quite diverse, including905nm、1550nmand1064nmWait.

• Due to the need for high-precision ranging in LiDAR, lasers with shorter wavelengths (such as 905nm) are often chosen to achieve better resolution and shorter pulse widths.

• The 1550nm laser radar has become a popular choice because of its relatively safe eye safety standard (Class 1), especially in the field of autonomous vehicle.

2. Laser power

• Optical communication laser chip：

• Laser chips in optical communication typically require lower output power, typically in the milliwatt (mW) range. Due to the fact that optical communication transmits data streams rather than detecting reflected signals, the power requirements are relatively low.

• Power stability and modulation performance (such as modulation bandwidth) are key elements in laser design for optical communication systems.

• Lidar laser chip：

• Lidar lasers typically require higher output power to ensure that laser signals can cover longer distances and be reflected back. The laser power is usually a few watts (W) or even higher.

• High power lasers can ensure effective reflection of laser beams over a large range and provide accurate distance measurement data.

3. Laser pulse width

• Optical communication laser chip：

• In optical communication, lasers typically use continuous wave (CW) mode, which continuously emits optical signals. Its signal waveform is stable and suitable for long-term data transmission.

• The modulation method (such as intensity modulation, phase modulation) determines the transmission capability and bandwidth of optical communication lasers.

• Lidar laser chip：

• The laser in the laser radar system is usually usedpulse laserTechnology refers to the emission of high-energy light pulses that are concentrated in a short period of time. The duration of the pulse is very short, usually in the nanosecond (ns) range, to ensure that detection and reflection can be completed in a shorter time.

• Pulsed lasers help measure the precise distance of targets and support higher precision 3D scanning.

4. Beam divergence angle and focusing performance

• Optical communication laser chip：

• Optical communication lasers generally require very small beams of light to transmit signals through optical fibers, thus typically having smaller divergence angles and higher focusing capabilities.

• Lidar laser chip：

• Lidar needs to scan the surrounding environment extensively with a laser beam, so it needs to be designed with a large divergence angle to ensure that the lidar can detect objects over a large range.

• Lidar also needs to have strong focusing performance to ensure accuracy at long distances.

5. Cost and packaging

• Optical communication laser chip：

• Due to the huge demand and mature technology in the optical communication market, the manufacturing process and material costs of optical communication laser chips are relatively standardized, and are usually usedInGaAsWaiting for semiconductor materials and relatively simple packaging.

• Optical communication laser chips generally require high-precision temperature control and stability design to ensure long-term reliable data transmission.

• Lidar laser chip：

• The cost of laser radar is relatively high, especially for high-power and high-precision laser radar chips that require complex manufacturing processes.

• The packaging technology requires high requirements, including consideration of the focusing and scattering effects of the laser beam, as well as ensuring heat dissipation management during long-term high-power operation.

6. Safety requirements

• Optical communication laser chip：

• Due to the typically low power of optical communication lasers, the requirements for eye safety are relatively relaxed.

• Most optical communication lasers operate in the low power range, typicallyClass 1Laser does not cause harm to the eyes.

• Lidar laser chip：

• The laser power of LiDAR is relatively high, especially in long-distance detection and large-scale scanning, so it needs to meet strict eye safety standards. The laser used in some laser radars needs to meet the requirementsClass 1perhapsClass 3RThe safety standards ensure that users will not be harmed within normal operating distances.

summarize

Although both optical communication lasers and LiDAR lasers rely on laser technology, their core difference lies in the differences in application requirements. Optical communication lasers focus more on power control and long-distance data transmission, while laser radar lasers require high power, short pulse, and wide-angle emission to provide accurate spatial ranging and environmental detection capabilities. Choosing the appropriate laser chip is crucial for ensuring the performance, stability, and safety of the system.