Diode lasers for mass market applications: optical recording andprinting

The existence of inexpensive semiconductor diode lasers has led to realization of consumer products in the home entertainment and personal computer industries that are already successful and promise to continue to grow in value. For example, optical recording has proven to be a technology that not only has become a dominant factor in the audio market (CD player), but has found markets as memory peripherals for personal computers and the playback of prerecorded video. In addition, diode laser printers for personal computers will become a large market. Diode-laser-based optical recording and printing systems are reviewed in this paper, as are the properties of the diode lasers that allow these systems to operate so well. Future developments in diode laser technology that will allow enhanced or new systems are also described