Wilfried Lenth

Title: The Innovations of Wilfried Lenth

Introduction

Wilfried Lenth is a notable inventor based in Santa Cruz, California. He has made significant contributions to the field of semiconductor lasers, holding a total of nine patents. His work focuses on developing low-cost InGaAlN-based lasers that are essential for optical storage applications.

Latest Patents

Lenth's latest patents include a method and structure for producing lasers with excellent optical wavefront characteristics. This innovation ensures that the output beam from the laser front facet is unobstructed by the edges of the semiconductor chip, thereby preventing detrimental beam distortions. The semiconductor laser structure is epitaxially grown on a substrate that includes a lower cladding layer, an active layer, an upper cladding layer, and a contact layer. The process involves dry etching through a lithographically defined mask to create a laser mesa of specific dimensions. Additionally, a sequence of lithography and etching is employed to form a ridge structure on top of the mesa, which also includes mirrors or facets on the ends of the laser waveguide structures. The design allows for a yield greater than 50% for a given defect density.

Career Highlights

Throughout his career, Wilfried Lenth has worked with prominent companies such as IBM and Binoptics Corporation. His experience in these organizations has contributed to his expertise in laser technology and semiconductor applications.

Collaborations

Lenth has collaborated with notable individuals in the field, including William P Risk, III and Alex A Behfar. These collaborations have further enhanced his work and innovations in laser technology.

Conclusion

Wilfried Lenth's contributions to the development of low-cost InGaAlN-based lasers have made a significant impact in the field of optical storage. His innovative methods and structures continue to influence advancements in semiconductor technology.