Spatio-spectral mapping of multimode vertical cavity surface emitting lasers

Author

Knopp, Kevin J. ; Christensen, David H. ; Vander Rhodes, Greg ; Pomeroy, Joshua M. ; Goldberg, Bennett B. ; Ünlü, M. Selim

Author_Institution

Nat. Inst. of Stand. & Technol., Boulder, CO, USA

Volume

17

Issue

8

fYear

1999

fDate

8/1/1999 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

1429

Lastpage

1435

Abstract

This paper reports the spatial and spectral characteristics of multimode vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) emission using near field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM). We have investigated 15 μm diameter proton implanted 850 nm devices used in 2 Gb/s multimode fiber optic links. We have studied their near field spatial distribution of intensity and the lasing wavelengths of their transverse modes. False colored images were created to portray relative intensity, and spatial distribution information for each transverse mode. Correlation with shear force data allowed mapping of the optical distributions to topographical features of the device. Lasing filaments were observed at high drive currents. Spatially overlapping transverse modes were observed to compete for available gain while spatially isolated modes coexisted

Keywords

laser modes; near-field scanning optical microscopy; optical testing; optical transmitters; semiconductor device testing; semiconductor lasers; surface emitting lasers; 15 mum; 2 Gbit/s; 850 nm; Gb/s multimode fiber optic links; VCSEL emission; false colored images; high drive currents; lasing wavelengths; multimode vertical cavity surface emitting lasers; near field scanning optical microscopy; near field spatial distribution; optical distributions; relative intensity; shear force data; spatial distribution information; spatially isolated modes; spatially overlapping transverse modes; spatio-spectral mapping; topographical features; transverse mode; transverse modes; Fiber lasers; Laser modes; Optical fibers; Optical microscopy; Optical surface waves; Protons; Stimulated emission; Surface emitting lasers; Surface topography; Vertical cavity surface emitting lasers;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Lightwave Technology, Journal of

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0733-8724

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/50.779165

Filename

779165