Open AccessCoupled-cavity surface-emitting lasers: spectral and polarization threshold characteristics and electrooptic switching
Author(s) -
Krassimir Panajotov,
Mateusz Zujewski,
Hugo Thienpont
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.18.027525
Subject(s) - vertical cavity surface emitting laser , optics , laser , optoelectronics , polarization (electrochemistry) , materials science , biasing , semiconductor laser theory , tunable laser , wavelength , voltage , physics , chemistry , quantum mechanics
We study spectral and polarization threshold characteristics of coupled-cavity Vertical-Surface-Emitting Lasers (CC-VCSEL) on the base of a simple matrix approach. We show that strong wavelength discrimination can be achieved in CC-VCSELs by slightly detuning the cavities. However, polarization discrimination is not provided by the coupled-cavity design. We also consider the case of reverse-biasing one of the cavities, i.e. using it as a modulator via linear and/or quadratic electrooptic effect. Such a CC-VCSEL can act as a voltage-controlled polarization or wavelength switching device that is decoupled from the laser design and can be optimized for high modulation speed. We also show that using QD stack instead of quantum wells in the top cavity would lead to significant reduction of the driving electrical field.