Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
  • A47J37/00—Baking; Roasting; Grilling; Frying
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
  • A23L—FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PREPARATION OR TREATMENT THEREOF
  • A23L5/00—Preparation or treatment of foods or foodstuffs, in general; Food or foodstuffs obtained thereby; Materials therefor
  • A23L5/10—General methods of cooking foods, e.g. by roasting or frying
  • A23L5/15—General methods of cooking foods, e.g. by roasting or frying using wave energy, irradiation, electrical means or magnetic fields, e.g. oven cooking or roasting using radiant dry heat
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
  • B29C49/00—Blow-moulding, i.e. blowing a preform or parison to a desired shape within a mould; Apparatus therefor
  • B29C49/42—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
  • B29C49/64—Heating or cooling preforms, parisons or blown articles
  • B29C49/68—Ovens specially adapted for heating preforms or parisons
  • B29C49/6835—Ovens specially adapted for heating preforms or parisons using reflectors
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01S—DEVICES USING THE PROCESS OF LIGHT AMPLIFICATION BY STIMULATED EMISSION OF RADIATION [LASER] TO AMPLIFY OR GENERATE LIGHT; DEVICES USING STIMULATED EMISSION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION IN WAVE RANGES OTHER THAN OPTICAL
  • H01S5/00—Semiconductor lasers
  • H01S5/02—Structural details or components not essential to laser action
  • H01S5/022—Mountings; Housings
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01S—DEVICES USING THE PROCESS OF LIGHT AMPLIFICATION BY STIMULATED EMISSION OF RADIATION [LASER] TO AMPLIFY OR GENERATE LIGHT; DEVICES USING STIMULATED EMISSION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION IN WAVE RANGES OTHER THAN OPTICAL
  • H01S5/00—Semiconductor lasers
  • H01S5/10—Construction or shape of the optical resonator, e.g. extended or external cavity, coupled cavities, bent-guide, varying width, thickness or composition of the active region
  • H01S5/18—Surface-emitting [SE] lasers, e.g. having both horizontal and vertical cavities
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01S—DEVICES USING THE PROCESS OF LIGHT AMPLIFICATION BY STIMULATED EMISSION OF RADIATION [LASER] TO AMPLIFY OR GENERATE LIGHT; DEVICES USING STIMULATED EMISSION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION IN WAVE RANGES OTHER THAN OPTICAL
  • H01S5/00—Semiconductor lasers
  • H01S5/40—Arrangement of two or more semiconductor lasers, not provided for in groups H01S5/02 - H01S5/30
  • H01S5/42—Arrays of surface emitting lasers
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01S—DEVICES USING THE PROCESS OF LIGHT AMPLIFICATION BY STIMULATED EMISSION OF RADIATION [LASER] TO AMPLIFY OR GENERATE LIGHT; DEVICES USING STIMULATED EMISSION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION IN WAVE RANGES OTHER THAN OPTICAL
  • H01S5/00—Semiconductor lasers
  • H01S5/005—Optical components external to the laser cavity, specially adapted therefor, e.g. for homogenisation or merging of the beams or for manipulating laser pulses, e.g. pulse shaping
  • H01S5/0071—Optical components external to the laser cavity, specially adapted therefor, e.g. for homogenisation or merging of the beams or for manipulating laser pulses, e.g. pulse shaping for beam steering, e.g. using a mirror outside the cavity to change the beam direction
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01S—DEVICES USING THE PROCESS OF LIGHT AMPLIFICATION BY STIMULATED EMISSION OF RADIATION [LASER] TO AMPLIFY OR GENERATE LIGHT; DEVICES USING STIMULATED EMISSION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION IN WAVE RANGES OTHER THAN OPTICAL
  • H01S5/00—Semiconductor lasers
  • H01S5/02—Structural details or components not essential to laser action
  • H01S5/022—Mountings; Housings
  • H01S5/0225—Out-coupling of light
  • H01S5/02255—Out-coupling of light using beam deflecting elements
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01S—DEVICES USING THE PROCESS OF LIGHT AMPLIFICATION BY STIMULATED EMISSION OF RADIATION [LASER] TO AMPLIFY OR GENERATE LIGHT; DEVICES USING STIMULATED EMISSION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION IN WAVE RANGES OTHER THAN OPTICAL
  • H01S5/00—Semiconductor lasers
  • H01S5/02—Structural details or components not essential to laser action
  • H01S5/024—Arrangements for thermal management
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01S—DEVICES USING THE PROCESS OF LIGHT AMPLIFICATION BY STIMULATED EMISSION OF RADIATION [LASER] TO AMPLIFY OR GENERATE LIGHT; DEVICES USING STIMULATED EMISSION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION IN WAVE RANGES OTHER THAN OPTICAL
  • H01S5/00—Semiconductor lasers
  • H01S5/10—Construction or shape of the optical resonator, e.g. extended or external cavity, coupled cavities, bent-guide, varying width, thickness or composition of the active region
  • H01S5/1082—Construction or shape of the optical resonator, e.g. extended or external cavity, coupled cavities, bent-guide, varying width, thickness or composition of the active region with a special facet structure, e.g. structured, non planar, oblique
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01S—DEVICES USING THE PROCESS OF LIGHT AMPLIFICATION BY STIMULATED EMISSION OF RADIATION [LASER] TO AMPLIFY OR GENERATE LIGHT; DEVICES USING STIMULATED EMISSION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION IN WAVE RANGES OTHER THAN OPTICAL
  • H01S5/00—Semiconductor lasers
  • H01S5/10—Construction or shape of the optical resonator, e.g. extended or external cavity, coupled cavities, bent-guide, varying width, thickness or composition of the active region
  • H01S5/12—Construction or shape of the optical resonator, e.g. extended or external cavity, coupled cavities, bent-guide, varying width, thickness or composition of the active region the resonator having a periodic structure, e.g. in distributed feedback [DFB] lasers
  • H01S5/1203—Construction or shape of the optical resonator, e.g. extended or external cavity, coupled cavities, bent-guide, varying width, thickness or composition of the active region the resonator having a periodic structure, e.g. in distributed feedback [DFB] lasers over only a part of the length of the active region
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01S—DEVICES USING THE PROCESS OF LIGHT AMPLIFICATION BY STIMULATED EMISSION OF RADIATION [LASER] TO AMPLIFY OR GENERATE LIGHT; DEVICES USING STIMULATED EMISSION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION IN WAVE RANGES OTHER THAN OPTICAL
  • H01S5/00—Semiconductor lasers
  • H01S5/40—Arrangement of two or more semiconductor lasers, not provided for in groups H01S5/02 - H01S5/30
  • H01S5/4025—Array arrangements, e.g. constituted by discrete laser diodes or laser bar
  • H01S5/4031—Edge-emitting structures
  • H01S5/4043—Edge-emitting structures with vertically stacked active layers
  • H01S5/405—Two-dimensional arrays
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01S—DEVICES USING THE PROCESS OF LIGHT AMPLIFICATION BY STIMULATED EMISSION OF RADIATION [LASER] TO AMPLIFY OR GENERATE LIGHT; DEVICES USING STIMULATED EMISSION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION IN WAVE RANGES OTHER THAN OPTICAL
  • H01S5/00—Semiconductor lasers
  • H01S5/40—Arrangement of two or more semiconductor lasers, not provided for in groups H01S5/02 - H01S5/30
  • H01S5/42—Arrays of surface emitting lasers
  • H01S5/423—Arrays of surface emitting lasers having a vertical cavity
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
  • H05B3/00—Ohmic-resistance heating
  • H05B3/0033—Heating devices using lamps
  • H05B3/0038—Heating devices using lamps for industrial applications
  • H05B3/0057—Heating devices using lamps for industrial applications for plastic handling and treatment

Definitions

• This invention generally relates to a novel method of digitally injecting heat into a wide range of products by way of a novel incorporation of a special class of semiconductor lasers, in one form, surface emitting devices.
• This invention relates to a more specific and advantageous way of practicing the art of directly injecting narrowband radiant energy that desirously matches the absorption specification of a particular material at a specified wavelength.
• the locus of points representing the complete set of absorption coefficients for each wavelength of irradiation will comprise the complete absorption curve for that material.
• the complete spectral absorption curve is often also referred to as the spectral curve or by other shortcut names.
• narrowband appropriately applies to all DHI applications, some applications are much more critical than others. For example, in some applications, two or three hundred nano-meters of bandwidth may be narrow enough to match a particular area of a given product's absorption curve. While each and every different material or compound has its own characteristic absorption curve shapes, they are often slow changing shapes in part of the curve and sharp or abruptly changing shapes in other portions of the curve.
• Another concept of digital heat injection involves choosing wavelengths for a desired result when multiple different material types are involved. For example, choosing materials which have at least one wavelength at which the two materials have desireously different absorptions. When one material is highly transmissive at a wavelength at which the other is highly absorptive, it is possible to shoot the energy through a first transmissive material with minimal heating while achieving substantial absorption in the second material with a desired level of heating.
• the first aspect is that most diode lasers are chemically fabricated in an MOC-VD wafer fabrication machine with a layering approach.
• the ultimate lasing direction of each device is typically parallel to the plane of the wafer.
• the bar may contain N lasers but might typically be 20 or more different laser devices, each of which functions individually. They are still mechanically joined to their neighbors because they were never separated from them.
• typical edge-emitting devices 10 are shown in a bar 12 disposed on substrates 14 and 16.
• Substrate 14 (and/or 16 in some applications) may be a cooling substrate or system.
• line D shows the general direction of the beam as it is generated in the wafer — to be output ultimately at a facet 20.
• the emitting facet 20 (three examples of which are shown) is the surface which ultimately is the site of the most common cause for failure in laser diodes.
• the emitting facet 20 is fragile and critical to the life of a laser diode. Any nick, scratch, imperfection, contaminant and some other issues on that surface can lead to additional local or large scale heating which in turn leads to failure.
• the surface of the facet 20 must be absolutely flush and parallel (as shown by device 10-2 of Figure 6(b))to the edge of the heat sinking, cooling substrate 14. If the laser diode is at any skewed angle relative to the edge of the substrate or is not nearly perfectly flush (Figure 6(a)), bad things begin to happen from a cooling standpoint which leads to early failure. If any portion of the substrate 14 (for example) protrudes beyond the facet surface by a distance N then it creates a location where contaminants can reside (as shown by device 10-3 of Figure 6(b)) and the protruding substrate becomes a reflector/absorber of stray rays which come out of the emitting facet.
• the system comprises a means operative to locate a target in an irradiation zone facilitating the application of radiant heating into the target, at least one semi-conductor based narrowband radiation emitting device element, the at least one narrowband radiation emitting device being operative to emit radiation at a narrow wavelength band of radiant heat output which matches a desired absorptive characteristic of the target, the at least one narrowband radiation emitting device being a mounted surface emitting laser diode device, the at least one narrowband radiation emitting device being mounted to a mounting entity comprising at least one of a circuit board and a cooling substrate such that the central axis of an irradiation pattern from the at least one narrowband radiation emitting device is directed generally orthogonally relative to the largest plane of the mounting entity, the mounting arrangement configured to position the at least one narrowband radiation emitting diode device such that irradiation therefrom is directed to a target in the irradiation zone, and a means operative to supply electrical
• the at least one semiconductor-based narrowband radiation emitting device element forms an array of more than one surface emitting laser diode devices.
• the array comprises an X by Y matrix of surface emitting laser diode devices wherein both X and
• Y are greater than one (1 ).
• the array is in the form of an engineered array of more than one surface emitting laser diode devices such that the relative geometrical locations have been determined with consideration of the irradiation output pattern of the combination of the laser diode devices to provide better irradiation of the intended target which is to be irradiated.
• one of a lensing or reflector arrangement is superimposed between the array and the target for the purpose of improving the irradiation pattern at the point where the irradiation reaches the intended target.
• devices are included in the array of at least two different device types, the device types being defined by at least one of producing different wavelengths, being manufactured from different wafer substrate chemistry, of different physical sizes, different power outputs and of differing device output patterns.
• the array of at least two different device types is characterized by being three or more different device types.
• the different device types which are included in the array can produce at least two different wavelengths, the center of which wavelengths are within 100 nm from one another.
• the different device types which are included in the array can produce at least two different wavelengths, the center of which wavelengths are more than 150 nm from one another.
• the means operative to supply electrical current to the at least one narrowband radiation emitting device is comprised of a system which can selectively supply current by way of at least one current controlling power supply which can be controlled by an intelligent controller, the intelligent controller which controls the power supply consists of at least one of a programmable logic controller, a microprocessor-based control board, a computer control system, and an embedded logic controller.
• the intelligent controller has the ability to selectively control the irradiation from the at least two different device types.
• the intelligent controller is operative to digitally control the radiation from the at least one narrowband radiation emitting devices wherein the devices are configured to irradiate more than one irradiation zone on the target.
• the intelligent controller is operative to digitally control the radiation from the at least one narrowband radiation emitting devices wherein the devices are configured to irradiate at varying wavelengths corresponding to different absorption characteristics of the target.
• the geometrical arrangement of the surface emitting laser diode devices is arranged so that the irradiation output pattern does not require the superposition of any refracting, diffracting, or reflecting device between the laser diode devices and the irradiation target.
• the at least one of a circuit board and cooling substrate have more than eight surface emitting devices mounted thereon.
• the at least one narrowband radiation emitting device consists of an integrated circuit chip array of more than one surface emitting devices which were manufactured at the wafer level as a unit.
• each laser diode device occurs in a direction parallel to the mounting plane of the devices while the central axis of the output irradiation pattern is generally orthogonal thereto.
• the output irradiation pattern of at least some of devices is collimated photonic energy in at least one of its two fundamental 90° opposed axes.
• no component of the external irradiation pattern of each device is parallel to the largest plane of the laser diode device itself.
• no component of the external irradiation pattern of each device is parallel to the largest plane of the mounting substrate.
• control includes the ability to control how much accumulated energy is irradiated to specific regions of the target.
• the central output wavelength of the devices is affected by less than 0.1 nanometer per degree centigrade of laser diode device operating temperature change.
• the system comprises at least one semi-conductor based narrowband radiation emitting device element, the at least one narrowband radiation emitting device being operative to emit radiation at a narrow wavelength band of radiant heat output which matches a desired absorptive characteristic of the target, the at least one narrowband radiation emitting device being a mounted surface emitting laser diode device, the at least one narrowband radiation emitting device being mounted to a mounting entity comprising at least one of a circuit board and a cooling substrate such that the central axis of an irradiation pattern from the at least one narrowband radiation emitting device is directed generally orthogonally relative to the largest plane of the mounting entity, the mounting arrangement configured to position the at least one narrowband radiation emitting diode device such that irradiation therefrom is directed to a target in the irradiation zone, and a means operative to supply electrical current to the at least one narrowband radiation emitting device.
• the at least one narrowband radiation emitting device being operative to emit radiation at a narrow wavelength band of radiant heat output which matches
• the array comprises an X by Y matrix of surface emitting laser diode devices wherein both X and
• Y are greater than one (1 ).
• an irradiation array for the production of radiant energy associated with a target comprises semiconductor irradiation array wherein the devices are not mounted, flush with any edges of a board upon which the array is mounted, wherein the mounting board is configured as a high head conduction substrate which has at least one layer to conduct heat and one layer to conduct electrical supply current, wherein the array is comprised of surface emitting, semi-conductor laser devices, wherein the axis of the optical photonic output of the array of devices is substantially perpendicular to the large plane of the mounting substrate, and, wherein the mounting board is configured to thermally couple to at least one of a water jacket cooling system, a heat radiation fin arrangement, a state change cooler, a compressed media cooler and a thermo-electric cooler.
• the array is a X by
• the array is an arrangement of surface-emitting devices whereby some of the devices are rotated relative to their neighboring devices.
• the method comprises introducing a target item into an irradiation zone, emitting radiation at a narrow wavelength band of radiant heat output which matches a desired absorption characteristic of the target item using a mounted surface emitting laser diode device, wherein the mounted surface emitting laser diode device is mounted to a mounting entity comprising at least one of a circuit board and a cooling substrate such tat a central axis of an irradiation pattern from the device is directed generally orthogonally relative to the largest plane of the mounting entity, and irradiating the target item based on the irradiation device.
• the target item is a food item.
• the target item is a preform plastic bottle.
• Figures 1(a)-(d) are representations of a surface emitting device
• Figures 2(a)-(b) are representations of another surface emitting device
• Figures 3(a)-(d) are a system according to the presently described embodiments.
• Figure 4 is another system according to the presently described embodiments.
• Figure 5 is a prior art configuration
• Figures 6(a)-(b) are prior art configurations.
• the present invention describes a new use of a documented but not well known laser diode technology.
• This is a new class of devices that are just emerging from a few advanced manufacturers as experimental devices and as a class are known as surface emitting diode lasers. They have unique properties for practicing digital heat injection technology and they have none of the limitations indicated above. Although they may not represent a substantial improvement for many traditional uses of laser diodes, they represent a substantially novel improvement in both the economics and the practicality of practicing digital heat injection technology.
• the implementation of this type of surface emitting device has the advantage of not requiring precision alignment at all relative to the edge of a cooling circuit board or substrate. This is made possible because it emits the energy orthogonal to the plane of the manufacturing wafer from which it originates. The actual lasing takes place parallel to the surface but the energy is emitted from the laser diode device perpendicular to the lasing direction. Since it is not the normal edge emitting device, it eliminates concerns about the tiny, fragile facet and all the issues associated therewith. [0057] It has the further advantage of having an emission facet, on the plane of its largest or mounting surface, which is many times the size of the facet of an edge emitting device.
• the energy density has been shown to be up to three orders of magnitude less with the surface emitting arrangement compared to edge emitting devices. This typically should result in substantially longer life and improved, more economical and efficient cooling configurations.
• One of the reasons cooling is simplified is that the direction of output can be perpendicular to the mounting board - so cooling can be accomplished for many devices in the same plane.
• the present invention has the further advantage of having an aperture that grows proportionally with the geometric proportions of the device so that very high power output devices are possible with low energy density through the emitting facet.
• It has the further advantage of emitting irradiation energy, in at least one form, which is already collimated in one axis while having only a modest divergence angle in the other axis. This allows for very easy handling of the radiant energy output and thus the use of simpler and more inexpensive lenses or optical devices (such as cylindrical lens bars made of relatively inexpensive material). In fact, this feature eliminates the need for any lensing in many DHI applications. This, is a further cost reduction for a fully configured system.
• Yet another advantage of the current invention is that changes in temperature have at least an order of magnitude less effect on the wavelength output of the device.
• the output variation is typically about .03 nano-meters of change per degree centigrade of junction temperature change.
• a further advantage is that the contemplated surface emitting devices can be mounted on a mounting entity with more conventional, less precision pick and place type equipment more similarly to the way other, non-optical circuit board components might be mounted.
• Yet another advantage of the surface emitting devices is that they can be manufactured in both gallium arsenide substrate and indium phosphide substrates to facilitate use in a broad range of DHI applications.
• a surface emitting distributed feedback semi-conductor laser diode device 100 is illustrated.
• This device may be manufactured in a variety of different manners as is described in a variety of publications but, in one form, may be manufactured according to, for example, U.S. Patent No. 5,345,466, U.S. Patent No. 5,867,521 , U.S. Patent No. 6,195,381 and U.S. Publication No. 2005/0238079. All of these documents are incorporated in their entirety herein by this reference.
• the device 100 will typically include a laser diode portion 110 including an emitting surface 120.
• the fabrication of the diode also includes the provision of a cooling substrate 130.
• the emitting surface 120 includes an emitting zone 140 to advantageously emit , in a predetermined direction, radiation 150.
• the device 100 is able to achieve such performance and functionality, in part, because of an underlying grating surface (not shown). In this regard, the grating may be curved in nature.
• the devices 100 are shown as being distributed in an example array 200.
• the device 100 is shown as being distributed in such a manner so as to provide no gaps in radiation for the array.
• the configuration of the array, and the number of arrays used, will allow, in some forms, for advantageous control of zones of the arrays so that such zones can be controlled in an appropriate manner.
• the radiation emitted from the emitting surface 120 is collimated in one dimension ( Figure 1(b) - side view) and is a gently angled divergence in the other dimension ( Figure 1(c) -- end view).
• Figure 1(b) - side view the radiation emitted from the emitting surface 120 is collimated in one dimension
• Figure 1(c) -- end view This is unlike most laser diodes which have a fast axis and a slow axis of divergence.
• This has the distinct advantage in the contemplated DHI applications that the lensing (if necessary) of the radiation becomes simplified in one dimension, thus facilitating a much simpler form of lensing and/or improved control of zones in many applications.
• the tolerance of these devices is on the order of plus or minus one nanometer per wafer -- as opposed to much greater tolerances of more traditional laser devices.
• FIG. 1(a)-(d) show one example embodiment of a device that may be implemented to achieve the objectives of the presently described embodiments.
• the surface emitting device may take a variety of forms. Devices such as these will typically have an emitting zone that comprises greater than 35% (or so) of the emitting surface (which may be a surface having the target dimensions on the device) that is perpendicular to the direction of the output.
• a surface emitting device 10 comprises a semi-conductive die or substrate 12 that contains a laser strip 14 and a reflective element 16. A laser beam 18 is generated in the laser strip 14 and reflected off the element 16 so that the laser beam 18 is emitted from the device 10 and a direction generally perpendicular to the surface 22 of the substrate 12.
• the laser beam 18 travels in a direction toward an edge 20 of the device.
• the device as shown in Figure 2(a) is arranged in an array.
• the array or arrays can be configured in a variety of manners to achieve the objectives of the presently described embodiments.
• several devices 10 are arranged adjacent to one another to form a column or a row and a plurality of columns or rows are provided on a particular substrate.
• the plurality of devices that form the arrays generally emit radiation in a direction perpendicular to the surface 22 of the substrate 12 to provide regions 70 of radiation beams.
• the devices illustrated in Figures 2(a) and 2(b) are subject to many of the same advantages as the devices illustrated in Figures 1(a)-1(d).
• One difference in implementation of the device of Figure 2(a) and 2(b) is, however, that the light emitted from the device 10 is not necessarily collimated in one direction as with the devices of Figures 1(a)-1(d). It also does not maintain as large an aperture as the device designed in Figures 1(a) through 1(d).
• the device of Figures 2(a)-2(b) like the device of Figures 1(a)-1(d), does include a larger surface area of emission at a precise wavelength.
• the direction of emission is orthogonal to the large axis or face of the device.
• the surface emitting devices as implemented in connection with the presently described embodiments are, in at least one form, configured wherein the lasing inside each laser diode device occurs in a direction parallel to the largest (or mounting) plane of the device while the central axis of the output irradiation pattern is generally orthogonal to the largest (or mounting) plane of the device.
• the output irradiation pattern of at least some of devices is collimated photonic energy in at least one of its two fundamental 90° opposed axes.
• no component of the external irradiation pattern of each device is parallel to the largest (or mounting) plane of the laser diode device itself.
• the central output wavelength of the devices is affected by less than 0.1 nanometer per degree centigrade of laser diode device operating temperature change.
• the system 500 includes a control module 510 as well as an array 520 and a lens arrangement 525 (if necessary).
• the array 520 may take any of the forms contemplated herein and radiates a staging area 530 to create an irradiation or target zone 540.
• control module 510 may take a variety of forms, including that of an intelligent controller to control a current controlling power supply that controls current to the surface emitting devices. It should be appreciated that the control module may include or control the means or mechanism or system to supply electric current to the surface emitting devices.
• the intelligent controller may be a programmable logic controller, a microprocessor-based control board, a computer control system or an embedded logic controller.
• the intelligent controller has the ability to selectively control the irradiation from the at least two different device types.
• the intelligent controller has the ability to separately control the radiation from the at least one narrowband radiation emitting devices wherein the devices are configured to irradiate into more than one irradiation zone on the target. Therefore, the control module 510, in many forms, has the ability to control how much accumulated energy is irradiated to specific regions of the target.
• the array 520 may take a variety of forms. However, in at least one form, the array comprises at least one semi-conductor based narrowband radiation emitting device element, wherein the at least one narrowband radiation emitting device is operative to emit radiation at a narrow wavelength band of radiant heat output which matches a desired absorptive characteristic of the target and is a mounted surface emitting laser diode device. In at least one form, the devices are configured to irradiate at varying wavelengths corresponding to different absorption characteristics of the target or targets.
• the at least one narrowband radiation emitting device may be mounted to a mounting entity such as a circuit board and/or a cooling substrate such that the central axis of the irradiation pattern from the at least one narrowband radiation emitting device is directed generally orthogonally relative to the largest plane of the mounting entity.
• the mounting arrangement may be configured to position the at least one narrowband radiation emitting diode device such that irradiation therefrom is directed to a target in the irradiation zone.
• the at least one semiconductor-based narrowband radiation emitting device element is formed in an array of more than one surface emitting laser diode devices.
• the array in one form, comprises of an X by Y matrix of surface emitting laser diode devices - wherein both X and Y are greater than one (1 ).
• the array is, in one form, in the form of an engineered array of more than one surface emitting laser diode devices such that the relative geometrical locations have been determined with consideration of the irradiation output pattern of the combination of the laser diode devices to provide better irradiation of the intended target which is to be irradiated.
• devices are included in the array of at least two different device types, the device types being defined by at least one of producing different wavelengths, being manufactured from different wafer substrate chemistry, of different physical sizes, and different power outputs.
• the array of at least two different device types may be characterized by being three or more different device types.
• the different device types which are included in the array can produce at least two different wavelengths, the center of which wavelengths are within 100 nm from one another or are more than 150 nm from one another.
• an irradiation array for the production of radiant energy associated with a target includes a semi-conductor irradiation array wherein the devices are not mounted flush with any edges of a board upon which the array is mounted.
• the mounting board is configured, in one form, as a high head conduction substrate which has at least one layer to conduct heat and one layer to conduct electrical supply current.
• the array is comprised of surface emitting, semi-conductor laser devices wherein the axis of the optical photonic output of the array of devices is substantially perpendicular to the large plane of the mounting substrate.
• the mounting board is also configured, in one form, to thermally couple to at least one of a water jacket cooling system, a heat radiation fin arrangement, a state change cooler, a compressed media cooler and a thermo-electric cooler.
• the devices may be positioned on a substrate in a variety of manners.
• rows and columns of devices may be provided wherein the devices are all oriented in the same manner, i.e. the length (or widths) directions of all devices being parallel. Rows or columns may also be offset (as in Figure 3(b)).
• alternating devices in rows and/or columns may be rotated by, for example, 90° so that length (or widths) directions of neighboring devices are orthogonal to one another. In at least one application, such rotation of alternating devices allows for a more uniform irradiation field.
• the arrays may be formed on circuit boards or cooling substrates so that any number of surface emitting devices can be formed thereon.
• An example array would have eight (8) surface emitting devices thereon.
• the array may be an integrated drip array of multiple devices that were manufactured at the wafer level as a unit.
• this lensing arrangement may take a variety of forms but, in at least one form, it is a simplified lensing arrangement when compared to that which is known relative to laser diode applications.
• the surface emitting nature of the device allows for the emitting surface to directly face the target areas, that is, the emission is orthogonal to the plane of the mounting substrate. This reduces the need for complicated optics systems. Therefore, in many cases a simple cylindrical lens, for example, placed in front of the devices will suffice for lensing applications. In this regard, a single cylindrical lens for multiple devices or a separate lens for each device could be implemented.
• the geometrical arrangement of the surface emitting laser diode devices is arranged so that the irradiation output pattern does not require the superposition of any refracting, diffracting, or reflecting device between the laser diode devices and the irradiation target.
• the staging area 530 and irradiation or target zone 540 may also take a variety of forms.
• the staging area includes a conveyor or carousel to move targets into the zone 540 to be irradiated.
• the staging area 530 may also be a stationary plate or other support element.
• the staging area may be stationary but the array (and lens, if included) moves relative to the target.
• the configuration is a function of the application.
• system 500 of Figure 3 may take a variety of forms and implementations.
• the system 500 may take the form of a system for heating preform plastic bottles during the blow molding process.
• the system 500 could be positioned in an oven for baking various types of food items.
• Figure 3(b) and (c) an example of an implementation of the device of Figure 3(a) is illustrated. It should be appreciated that the device or system illustrated in Figures 3(b) and 3(c) is merely exemplary in nature and may take a variety of other forms. As noted above, a target 535 is shown in Figure 3(c). This target could take a variety of forms including that of a plastic preform bottle or a food item such as a pizza. It should also be appreciated that variations in the target object may require variations in the system (for example, changes to the conveying system or staging area) that should be apparent upon the study of the present disclosure. [0087] More specifically, Figure 3(b) illustrates an example form of the array 520.
• the array 520 has a plurality of surface emitting devices 522 disclosed thereon.
• Each surface emitting device includes an emitting surface or zone such as that shown at 524.
• Array 520 shown in Figure 3(b) illustrates that a substantial emitting surface can be realized on a circuit board to emit radiation toward an object.
• the array 520 would allow for uniform output to be emitted toward a target traveling in a direction that is perpendicular to the long side of each of the devices 522.
• the devices such as the device 522 would be arranged or controlled in a variety of manners. For example, each set of two or three devices arranged in the columns as shown may be considered and controlled as a separate emission zone.
• zone control may not be a priority, however, efficiency of configuration and cooling may dictate the pattern.
• the devices such as 522 may be arranged on a circuit board or cooling substrate to output energy in a direction perpendicular to emitting surfaces, improved performance is obtained. These improvements are not obtainable using edge emitting laser diodes, as should be apparent from the disclosure herein.
• the array 520 is shown in an orientation whereby the emitting surfaces emit radiation toward an object 535 that resides on staging area 530 within a heating zone 540.
• the direction of travel of the object 535 is into/out of the page as indicated by the dot.
• a lens or lens arrangement 525 is also shown.
• the lens 525 may take a variety of configurations. However, the use of surface emitting devices allows for the lensing device 525 to take on a relatively simple and inexpensive configuration. In this regard, the lens may be a simple cylindrical lens formed in a bar that is sized to advantageously distribute the energy emitted from the array 520.
• the lens arrangement 525 is merely an optional feature for any given application. It should also be appreciated that the relative location of the lens 525 from the surface of the array may dictate the pattern that is seen at the output or the target 535. For example, this is a function of the arrangement of the devices 522 on the lens array 520. Those of skill in the art will appreciate the manner in which the lens distributes energy and focuses energy as may be desired. In any case, the use of surface emitting devices allows for a greater flexibility in the use and configuration of the lens because the more favorable energy distribution of the surface emitting devices allows the lens arrangement to be placed in closer proximity to the emitting surface.
• the array 520 is also shown with cooling lines 529 and cooling fins 528.
• the simplicity of the arrangement of the cooling devices illustrates still further advantage of the use of surface emitting devices whereby the devices emit in a direction perpendicular to the emission surfaces and the largest plane of the substrate or mounting entity. This allows for simplified cooling arrangements as shown herein.
• a protective shield 526 Also shown is a protective shield 526.
• the protective shield 526 could take a variety of forms. However, in at least one form, the protective shield 526 is made of a material that will be transparent at desired wavelengths but also protect the array from undesired wear.
• a graph 550 is shown.
• a percentage of output as seen at a target is graphed against a distance D that spans at least two zones of the target.
• the line A illustrates a system utilizing surface emitting devices.
• the line A shows a sharp decrease from 100 percent output seen to 0 percent output seen at a border or edge of a zone.
• edge emitting devices the output B is expected. This is a much more gently sloping curve.
• the output of the arrays using surface emitting devices can be expected to be much more rectilinear in nature, whereas the radiation output of edge emitting devices tends to be more elliptical and Gaussian. In this way, the use of surface emitting devices allows for better zone control for the output. Further, it will be appreciated that smaller arrays in higher number can be used for more granulated zone control versus larger arrays whereby larger zones or less precise zones are desired.
• the device 100 (or 10) may be incorporated in a cylindrical configuration to heat items such as a plastic bottle preform 610. In this form, the actual implementations may vary as a function of the designers desire to move the item 610, move the arrays 100, or both.
• Movement of either the source of irradiation or the target may be necessary in a DHI heating application.
• reflective surfaces 618 and lens arrangements 620 are illustrated. As above, these lens configurations can be greatly simplified and are more cost effective than other known lens arrangements for laser diode applications.
• the lens arrangement 620 can also provide the function of isolating the laser diode arrays from any contaminants which may come from the environment or the target. For example, food splatter in a cooking oven would be shielded from being deposited on any of the laser array apparatus so that it protects the life of same.
• element 620 can take the form of only a protective shield which is transparent at the wavelength being used for the application. In some cases, both a lensing arrangement and a protective shield could be used. One reason for doing this might be so that the protective shield can be replaced periodically with a clean or unsoiled one. Such shields could either be disposable or of a type that they can be cleaned and reused. Another feature that should be present with a protective shield could be anti-reflective coatings or coatings for other purposes. Some surface emitting laser diodes emit a polarized beam so the protective shield configuration may also have accommodations to use the polarization to good effect.
• the arrangement shown in Figure 4 further illustrates the advantage of the use of surface emitting devices as opposed to edge emitting devices in DHI applications.
• the output of the surface emitting devices is perpendicular to the largest surface of the device or mounting arrangement or entity that is fabricated. In this regard, this allows for improved cooling and other techniques. So, in Figure 4, very compact arrangements can be realized, which may be desired in some applications.
• edge emitting devices were used in the arrangement shown in Figure 4, the circuit boards may be required to be positioned so that multiple circuit boards are used to form each arrays and be arranged to protrude from the back side of the arrays. These circuit boards would be oriented in directions parallel to the output which is toward the target 610. As such, the configuration of the device 600 may be much larger and more complicated and cumbersome than is necessary with the use of surface emitting devices.
• the systems described herein will generally provide for location or introduction of a target in an irradiation zone (e.g. by a conveyor, carousel, hydraulics, etc.) and subsequent operation of the surface emitting devices (in many forms configured in arrays) to emit narrowband radiation that matches a desired absorptive characteristic of the target toward the target. This allows for heating, cooking, etc. that is desired.
• the system will be under control of a controller or control module so that current is provided to the devices, or arrays of devices, in manners described herein, e.g.
• controller may take a variety of forms.
• the controller may utilize memory devices or memory locations that store routines that are executed by suitable processors.
• the techniques of the present invention may be implemented and/or controlled using a variety of different software routines and/or hardware configuration.

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• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
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