No drive yet, but here's the laser that will likely power the next generation of DVD burners. It supports burning DVD±R DL discs at 16x; you could burn 8.5GB of data in mere minutes. Whether or not buying dual-layered discs is actually cost effective...that's a different story.

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation announced o­n the 18th that they have completed development of the "ML1XX27" series of red semiconductor lasers, which support burning DVD±R DL at 16x. Shipments of sample units will begin o­n February 16th, and mass production will begin in June.

Currently, though DVD±R single-layered 250mW rated lasers have achieved 16x writing speeds, the highest for dual-layered has been 4 - 6x.

The laser uses an independently developed "Lateral Pane Structure," so that the laser light is not absorbed by the output edge surface. This structure avoids crystal destruction (instantaneous edge destruction phenomenon) created by the heat generated from the absorption of light by the edge surface. This reportedly allows for a higher light output.

Also, o­n o­ne type of semiconductor laser structure, the "Ridge Wave Path," which minimizes loss of laser light that occurs while the light travels o­n the "light path," has been improved by dry-etching technology.

In an effort to improve non-straight line situations (Kink Characteristic) created from the mixture of electric currents and laser output, the resonance structure from which the laser light comes has been elongated versus current products, improving radiation. The guaranteed operating temperature is 75 degrees Celsius.

Because of the application of these technologies, Mitsubishi has been able to implement the 350mW rated light output necessary for writing DVD±R DL discs at 16x.



Inspired by:
http://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/2005/0119/mitsubishi. htm

Press Release:
http://www.mitsubishielectric.co.jp/news/2005/0118.htm</ A>