Theoretical Investigation of The Dynamical and Static Characteristics of Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers Incorporating Two-Dimensional Photonic Crystals

Abstract

In this work we present a spatial and dynamical model of a semiconductor vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) incorporating a spatial built-in optical waveguide created by the defect in a two-dimensional photonic crystal (PC). The PC is created by an array of air-holes etched in to the VCSEL. Results of investigations of power versus current and dynamical 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 PCs 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.