Design guidelines for fundamental-mode-operated cascade nitride VCSELs

Design guidelines for manufacturing fundamental-mode-operated nitride vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) are presented. Results of comparative analysis of various possible VCSEL configurations carried out with the aid of an advanced self-consistent optical-electrical-thermal device modeling are given. Our computer simulations suggest that the properly arranged design with a semitransparent contact, a double (cascade) active region, and two tunnel junctions ensures the best laser performance characteristics, in particular, single-fundamental-mode room-temperature continuous-wave operation.