"Currently the CD-R drives market is expanding explosively," said Minoru Sawada, senior manager of opt-electronic devices department at Sanyo. "Soon manufacturers will begin competition in high-speed DVD-writable drives. Sanyo wants to establish an advantageous position in the laser market by introducing high-power lasers earlier [than competitors]."

The AlGaInP laser steadily emits a 660-nm single-mode laser with 80-mW output power in pulsed operation, which enables it to write data onto writable DVD disks at more than double the normal speed, said Sawada. For reading data, the laser can emit continuously (as required for reading) because output power for this function is as low as 5 mW.

A laser with high-output power enables DVD-writable drive manufacturers to use a simple optical system structure, Sawada said.

The laser will come in a 5.6-mm diameter package. Sanyo plans to ship samples early next year. Volume production plans are not yet decided.