ROHM strives for long-range and high-precision lidar
Laser diode with a wavelength of 225 µm and an efficiency of 21%
Developed and sampled in June, with mass production scheduled for October.


As the adoption of Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) is promoted with the spread of robot vacuum cleaners, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and the development of autonomous vehicles, there is also a demand for improved performance of laser diodes, the light source, to enhance LiDAR's recognition performance.

On the 15th, ROHM announced that it has developed a high-power semiconductor laser diode, the 'RLD90QZW3', for use in industrial equipment such as AGVs and service robots equipped with lidar for distance measurement and spatial recognition, and in consumer equipment such as robot vacuum cleaners. It is a high-power 75W infrared product for lidar using a 3D ToF system. Compared to the 290µm emission width of laser diodes with similar output, the RLD90QZW3 reduces it by 22% to 225µm, improving beam performance.

At the same time, the uniformity of luminescence intensity and the low temperature dependence of the laser wavelength have enabled long-distance response and high precision of lidar in various environments. The power conversion efficiency, which is a trade-off with the narrow luminous width, is 21% (at a forward current of 24A and an output of 75W), similar to that of general products, so it can be used without concerns about increased power consumption.

ROHM provides application notes describing the drive circuit design methods required for evaluating and introducing new products, as well as models for circuit and optical simulation, through its official website.

Sample shipments of the RLD90QZW3 laser diode began in June at 6,000 yen per unit and are available through online distribution channels such as Chip One Stop and Core Staff. Mass production is scheduled to commence in October, with a monthly production capacity of 200,000 units.