Design and analysis of vertical-cavity semiconductor optical amplifiers

Author

Piprek, Joachim ; Bjorlin, S. ; Bowers, John E.

Author_Institution

Dept. of Electr. & Comput. Eng., California Univ., Santa Barbara, CA, USA

Volume

37

Issue

1

fYear

2001

fDate

1/1/2001 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

127

Lastpage

134

Abstract

The authors present detailed, yet largely analytical, models for gain, optical bandwidth, and saturation power of vertical-cavity semiconductor optical amplifiers (VCSOAs) in reflection and transmission mode. Simple formulas for the gain-bandwidth product are derived. The saturation model considers a sublinear material gain, gain enhancement by the standing-wave effect, and all relevant carrier recombination mechanisms. Excellent agreement with measurements on novel 1.3-μm VCSOAs is obtained. The models are used to analyze device performance and to investigate optimization options. Parameter plots are given which allow for an easy exploration of the VCSOA design space, matching desired performance data with the required mirror reflectivity and pump current

Keywords

laser mirrors; laser theory; optical pumping; optical saturation; reflectivity; semiconductor device models; semiconductor optical amplifiers; surface emitting lasers; 1.3 mum; VCSOA design space; gain enhancement; gain-bandwidth product; mirror reflectivity; optical bandwidth; optimization options; performance data; pump current; reflection mode; relevant carrier recombination mechanisms; saturation model; saturation power; standing-wave effect; sublinear material gain; transmission mode; vertical-cavity semiconductor optical amplifier design; vertical-cavity semiconductor optical amplifier model; Analytical models; Bandwidth; Optical design; Optical materials; Optical pumping; Optical reflection; Optical saturation; Semiconductor materials; Semiconductor optical amplifiers; Stimulated emission;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Quantum Electronics, IEEE Journal of

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9197

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/3.892734

Filename

892734