Material systems for VECSEL gain mirrors (Conference Presentation)

Abstract

The progress in developing practical vertical external cavity surface emitting lasers (VECSELs) continues to open new application opportunities in spectroscopy, sensing, life science, and more recently quantum technology. One of the most important features of VECSEL platform is its wavelength versatility, addressing specific application needs. While there has been a tremendous progress in wavelength extension and power scalability of VECSELs [1], the performance level is rather diverse and to large extent reflects the maturity and efforts put behind developing the gain mirror technology. From this perspective, this tutorial presentation covers the challenges in advancing the VECSEL technology with a particular focus on engineering the semiconductor gain mirrors. Starting from general design guidelines for thermal management, pumping, and band-gap engineering, we discuss the key features underpinning the developments of the major classes of gain mirror material systems (i.e. based on GaN, GaAs, InP, and GaSb). The progress in the performance level of VECSELs is discussed in connection with the challenges and opportunities associated with the gain mirror technology.