Advanced Photonic Technologies (APT), a Uniphase business unit, proposes to develop a low cost, compact, high power (3W cw) visible laser system emitting at 630 + 3 nm for both military and medical applications. This unique diode laser based system addresses an immediate and acute need for advanced solid-state devices in medical applications (photodynamic therapy for cancer treatment as well as a number of restricted defense applications. Photodynamic therapy (PDT), the most promising cancer treatment to date, can greatly reduce medical expenses associated with cancer because the treatment has minimal side effects and can be done on an outpatient basis. To date, the only FDA-approved dye used for PDT absorbs at 630 nm. Portable, robust, compact, inexpensive, reliable 630 nm InGaP-based diode laser system will greatly reduce the cost of today's bulky argon ion-pumped dye PDT system. In addition, high power 630 - 650 nm InGaP/AlInGaP lasers are promising for other applications such as novel optical pumping of tunable solid state lasers, high definition displays, high-speed laser printers and high brightness illuminators. We anticipate that this diode based 630 nm laser system will have great pervasive impact in military applications and excellent commercial growth potential in clinical PDT treatment.
