Numerical investigations of dynamical and static characteristics of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers incorporating two-dimensional photonic crystal

Abstract

In this work we present to our knowledge the first spatial and dynamical model of semiconductor vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) incorporating a spatial built-in optical waveguide created by the defect in the two-dimensional photonic crystal (PC). The PC is created by an array of air-holes etched in VCSEL. Results of investigations of power versus current and dynamic characteristics of a conventional proton-implanted VCSEL and VCSELs incorporating PC defect waveguides operating with effective index and photonic band-gap guidances are presented and discussed. Results show that the VCSELs with incorporated PC between laser mirrors provide a dramatic decrease of the power of the fundamental laser mode. Application of multiple-defect photonic band-gap (PBG) waveguides provides an additional dominance of the fundamental mode, and thus, the PC creates high-power but single-mode radiation of VCSELs which is impossible in conventional VCSELs. The VCSELs with PCs made in top mirror are characterized by an extremely low power of the radiation comparing to same VCSELs without the PC. Preliminary analysis of dynamical responses of the VCSELs show that VCSELs with PCs incorporated between laser mirrors could have slightly better modulation properties than VCSELs without PCs.