High Performance Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers

We propose to design, demonstrate and develop highly stable, single-mode vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) operating at 1.55¿m. The large free spectral range (FSR) of vertical cavities implies that VCSELs can operate inherently in a stable single-mode. Also, they can be easily fabricated to emit low-divergence circular beams. In Phase I, we will deliver individual VCSELs operating in a single mode at 1.55¿m-wavelength. This will include complete characterization of the device including operating wavelength, threshold current, output power, far-field pattern and thermal and current tuning of the lasers. The dependence of laser threshold upon the nature of the Distributed Bragg Reflector (DBR) mirrors will also be studied. In Phase II, we will complete the optimization of the device in terms of the lasing threshold and wall-plug efficiency. We will also fabricate and deliver an 8x8 array of VCSELs. Prof. S. R. Forrest (Princeton University) and R. J. Menna (David Sarnoff Research Center)will consult on this project.