Defect Mechanisms in Degradation of Long Wavelength (1.30–1.55 Micron) Laser Diodes

Abstract

ABSTRACTOptical degradation of long wavelength (1.30–1.55 micron) laser diodes during normal operation or accelerated aging test caused by lattice structural deterioration of the active region materials and mirror facet damage were investigated in detail. Extrinsic dislocation loops of 1/2<100>{010) types were observed in gradually degraded channeled-substrate-buried-heterostructure (CSBH) lasers. These dislocation loops, originated at the sidewall interfaces outside the active region, grew into the active region in the direction of minority carrier injection. A great enhancement of the loops' growth rate was observed after they entered the active region, indicating a nonradiative recombination enhanced defect reaction under the strong optical field. Furthermore, the <100> oriented extrinsic dislocation loops were confirmed to be dark-line-defects (DLDs). On the other hand, strong nonradiative recombination centers, created by mirror facet damage, or pre-existed internally inside the cavity, resulted localized melting on the {111} planes. The propagation of the localized melt-patch along the laser beam direction created a wormlike defect along the laser cavity, which degraded the laser device catastrophically. Various types of grown-in defects for CSBH and etched-mesa-buried-heterostructure (EMBH) laser devices are described and their effects on the device performance are demonstrated.