Effect of spatial filtering on the spontaneous emission spectrum of a sub-threshold VCSEL

Author

van Exter, M.P. ; Jansen Van Doorn, A.K. ; Woerdman, J.P.

Author_Institution

Huygens Lab., Leiden Univ., Netherlands

Volume

1

Issue

2

fYear

1995

fDate

6/1/1995 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

601

Lastpage

605

Abstract

We have measured the optical spectrum of a vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) operating below threshold. The spectrum consists of a strongly asymmetric central peak with weak structures in the wings that denote the edges of the DBR stopband. We show that the striking asymmetry of the central resonant part is caused by rays emitted at an angle with respect to the surface normal. The asymmetry can be removed by spatial filtering in the far-field. Analysis of the so obtained Lorentzian spectrum yields the current-dependent cavity loss rate and resonance frequency and thus, provides a new tool to analyze VCSEL´s

Keywords

III-V semiconductors; aluminium compounds; distributed Bragg reflector lasers; gallium arsenide; laser beams; laser cavity resonators; quantum well lasers; semiconductor laser arrays; spatial filters; spontaneous emission; surface emitting lasers; AlGaAs; DBR stopband; Lorentzian spectrum; asymmetry; current-dependent cavity loss rate; far-field; optical spectrum; resonance frequency; spatial filtering; spontaneous emission spectrum; strongly asymmetric central peak; vertical cavity surface-emitting laser; weak structures; Filtering; Laser modes; Optical filters; Optical refraction; Optical variables control; Semiconductor lasers; Spontaneous emission; Stimulated emission; Surface emitting lasers; Vertical cavity surface emitting lasers;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics, IEEE Journal of

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1077-260X

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/2944.401247

Filename

401247