Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers (VCSELs) revolutionized communications systems in the 1990s. As the technology improved, VCSELs began to be employed in sensing applications because of the inherent advantages VCSELs offered over LEDs and edge-emitting lasers. More recently, VCSEL arrays have revolutionized 3D sensing in many applications, including mobile devices, biometric identification, AR/VR, autonomous vehicles, and industrial systems.
Why VCSELs, and why now? This presentation explains how VCSELs started the next revolution in sensing; why VCSELs are leading 3D sensing’s progression into everyday lives; and where the technology and its applications will go in the future.
About the presenter
David Cheskis, Ph.D., is the 3D sensing product line director at Lumentum, where he oversees new sensing products. He is an expert in the technology, products, and markets for semiconductors, optoelectronics, and communications. In 2013, he created the world’s first foundry business for producing 6-inch GaAs VCSEL wafers. Since 1996, he has led the development of semiconductor and optical technologies and products for wireless, wireline, and optical products at diverse sensing and communications companies. These companies include LeddarTech, IQE plc, II-VI Incorporated, ANADIGICS Inc., Oclaro Inc., Sarnoff Corporation, Jazz Semiconductor, Multilink Technology Corporation, and Vitesse Semiconductor. Cheskis earned a doctorate and master of science degree in electrical engineering from the University of California, San Diego and a bachelor of science degree in microelectronic engineering from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). He is a senior member of IEEE.