Vertically oriented, multiple laser diode based illumination device

Abstract

Methods and systems for integrating multiple, vertically oriented laser diode emitters into a low cost package suitable for high volume manufacturing are presented herein. Multiple laser diode based emitters are assembled on a mounting structure, which, in turn, is fixed to an insulated metal substrate. Each of the multiple laser diode based emitters are oriented such that the light output generated by each laser diode based emitter is aligned with a direction perpendicular to a mounting surface of the insulated metal substrate. In a further aspect, the insulated metal substrate includes electrically conductive layers disposed on the topside and backside of the thermally conductive metal core layer. Portions of the topside and backside electrical layers are electrically coupled such that the laser diode based illumination device is configured as a surface mount device amenable to low cost, surface mount, electronics manufacturing assembly processes.