High wall-plug efficiency temperature-insensitive vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers with low-barrier p-type mirrors

  • Matthew G. Peters
  • , D. B. Young
  • , Frank H. Peters
  • , Brian J. Thibeault
  • , Jeff W. Scott
  • , Scott W. Corzine
  • , Robert W. Herrick
  • , Larry A. Coldren

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingsConference proceedingpeer-review

Abstract

Vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) are promising candidates as efficient sources for optical fiber communication due to their high efficiency coupling to fibers, single longitudinal mode operation, and ability to be integrated as arrays on a single chip. The best overall measurement of practical device performance is the wall-plug efficiency, defined as total optical power out divided by total electrical power in. The theoretical mechanisms that effect the wall-plug efficiency of VCSELs will be analyzed and discussed, especially the trade- off between differential efficiency and threshold current. Experimentally, modifications of the growth structure which improve wall-plug efficiency have been implemented. The drive voltage has been reduced and the optical loss is also decreased by using lower barrier p-type Al0.67Ga0.33As/GaAs mirrors with special interface gradings. Also, by offsetting the quantum- well gain peak from the cavity mode, the gain overlap is optimized at the true active-region operating temperature (above room-temperature). These effects combine to yield a peak CW room- temperature wall-plug efficiency of 17.3%.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
EditorsJack L. Jewell
PublisherPubl by Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers
Pages2-11
Number of pages10
ISBN (Print)0819414425
Publication statusPublished - 1994
Externally publishedYes
EventVertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser Arrays - Los Angeles, CA, USA
Duration: 27 Jan 199428 Jan 1994

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume2147
ISSN (Print)0277-786X

Conference

ConferenceVertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser Arrays
CityLos Angeles, CA, USA
Period27/01/9428/01/94

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