1305-nm Quantum Dot Vertical-External-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser

We report the first room temperature quantum dot (QD) vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting laser operating at 1305 nm. The gain structure was composed of 5 × 3 QD layers; each threefold group was positioned at an antinode of the standing wave of the optical field. Continuous wave optical output power >0.5 mW with threshold pump power of 21 mW was demonstrated using a very simple and compact laser configuration by employing a high reflection-coated fiber as the top mirror. Using a piezoelectric translation stage, the emission wavelength could be tuned over a 14-nm spectral range.