Adaptive Multiscale Simulation Tools for Thermo-Optoelectronic Design of VCSEL Arrays

Advances in optoelectronic devices, vertical cavity surface Emitting Lasers (VCSEL) in particular, have opened up many new possibilities for high density, 2D arrays of sources and detectors that can be applied in a broad range of applications. While remarkable progress has been made by physicists in understanding basic fundamentals of optoelectronic devices and their cw performance and packaging are still seriously limited by their thermal behavior. Complex interaction between physical processes of different length and time scales makes the computational analysis of VCSEL arrays difficult. CFDRC has demonstrated excellent skills in resolving complex multidisciplinary computational problems in microelectronics, materials, MEMs, etc. We propose to develop a revolutionary thermo opto-electronic design software for VCSELs and their arrays using state-of-the-art adaptive meshing techniques, multi-physics implicit coupling methods, and comprehensive professional quality software for automated model setup, simulation and visualization. In Phase I CFDRC in collaboration with University of New Mexico, will integrate fluid thermal-structures solvers with electromagnetic and optics solvers and demonstrate it on VCSEL configuration. The prototype software will be further enhanced, validated, demonstrated and commercialized in Phase II and III.