Abstract-The two-dimensional photonic crystal (2-D PhC) structure has been investigated as a method for lateral mode control of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs). The 2-D PhC structures were designed using an equivalent index model developed for photonic crystal fibers combined with a plane wave expansion method. The etching depth dependence of the PhC structure was incorporated for the first time to design practical devices. 2-D PhC-confined VCSELs are demonstrated to operate in single PhC-confined mode using either a single-or seven-point defect.
A vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) having a two-dimensional (2-D) photonic crystal structure on its surface has been investigated for single-lateral-mode operation. We evaluated the effective index change of a VCSEL cavity introduced by a 2-D pattern. Our experimental results showed good agreement with a theoretical model in which the influence of a finite etching depth was taken into consideration. The etching-depth dependence parameter γ, which can be explained by the optical power distribution inside a VCSEL structure, will be helpful for controlling the lateral mode of VCSEL devices.
The control of lateral mode operation using a photonic crystal in a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) is analyzed and confirmed experimentally. By controlling design parameters of the photonic crystal pattern, we have produced photonic crystal VCSELs that operate in higher order defect modes in addition to the fundamental defect mode. The transverse modal behavior is consistent with the predictions of a theoretical model in which the etching depth dependence of the air holes of the photonic crystals is considered. We also have determined the lower limit of optical confinement required from the photonic crystal pattern to influence the output beam of the laser.
Photonic crystal patterns containing two defects were fabricated within a large gain area in vertical cavity surface emitting lasers. By designing effective refractive index changes in the region between the defects through cavity shifts caused by photonic crystals, it was possible to coherently couple laser light output from the defects. This enables a novel way to fabricate coherently coupled laser arrays.
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