Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser Diodes for Communication, Sensing, and Integration

Abstract

I review my research group's work to date on the design, processing, performance, and key physics of state-of-the-art vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) for modern and emerging applications in optical data communication systems, as low to moderate power optical sources for sensing systems, and as very small to low optical power light sources for photonic-electronic integrated circuits. Via reduced complexity epitaxial designs that potentially lead to lower manufacturing and life cycle costs and via novel device geometries and processing methods we demonstrate record small-signal modulation bandwidth, the highest for all VCSELs at any wavelength to date, and record combinations of bandwidth and optical output power which is vital for emerging free space data communication, tracking, and sensing systems. We further demonstrate arrays of VCSELs of various sizes for a plethora of emerging applications supporting the Internet of Things and all manner of energy sustainable interactive gadgets.