Surface-emitting laser array, optical scanning device, and image forming device

Abstract

A surface-emitting laser array includes a plurality of surface-emitting laser elements. Each surface-emitting laser element includes a first reflection layer formed on a substrate, a resonator formed in contact with the first reflection layer and containing an active layer, and a second reflection layer formed over the first reflection layer and in contact with the resonator. The second reflection layer contains a selective oxidation layer. The first reflection layer contains on the active layer side at least a low refractive index layer having an oxidation rate equivalent to or larger than an oxidation rate of a selective oxidation layer contained in the second reflection layer. The resonator is made of an AlGaInPAs base material containing at least In. A bottom of a mesa structure is located under the selective oxidation layer and over the first reflection layer.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]This invention relates to a surface-emitting laser array, an optical scanning device including the surface-emitting laser array, and an image forming device including the surface-emitting laser array.BACKGROUND ART[0002]In a surface-emitting laser array in which surface-emitting laser elements are integrated, the output of each surface-emitting laser element during operation may decline due to a temperature rise through reception of heat from the surrounding surface-emitting laser elements, and the life of the surface-emitting laser array may be shortened.[0003]To obviate the problem, it is necessary to improve the heat dissipation characteristic. For example, a material having a high thermal conductivity should be used for a semiconductor Bragg reflector which is located on the side of main heat dissipation. Among the materials which can be used for a semiconductor Bragg reflector of a surface-emitting laser element on a GaAs substrate, AlAs is a suitable one t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0024]According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an improved surface-emitting laser array in which the above-described problems are eliminated.

[0049]And in the process of forming the mesa structure, the difference between the etching depth in the array region where the surface-emitting laser elements are arranged and the etching depth in the circumference of the array region is reduced to prevent exposure of the first reflection layer in the circumference of the array region and prevent oxidization of the first reflection layer. As a result, heat generated in the active layer radiates easily to the substrate side via the first reflection layer. Therefore, according to the invention, it is possible to arrange the surface-emitting laser array without using dummy elements so that heat is not easily accumulated in the active layer.

Problems solved by technology

However, from the problem of the controllability of the etching depth, it is difficult to control the etching bottom to be deeper than the selective oxidation layer but not to reach the lower semiconductor Bragg reflector.

Practically, it is very difficult to carry out mesa etching so as be deeper than the selective oxidation layer but not to reach the lower semiconductor Bragg reflector.

However, in the case of the surface-emitting laser array, carrying out uniform mesa etching within the surface of the wafer is still more difficult for other additional reasons.

If the oxidation rate of the low refractive index layer of the lower semiconductor Bragg reflector is quicker than the selective oxidation layer, the whole low refractive index layer is oxidized early and performing the current pouring is impossible.

There are the problems that the optical output declines and the life of the surface-emitting laser element becomes short.

Especially, when the surface-emitting laser array operates, undesired influences due to thermal interference become remarkable.

Operation of the surface-emitting laser array at high current values is impossible and use of the surface-emitting laser array with a low optical output is unavoidable.

And the life of the surface-emitting laser array becomes short due to a temperature rise caused by thermal interference.

This causes monitoring of oxidization (plasma emission spectrometry, optical reflective index analysis, etc.) to be difficult to perform.

Moreover, if the dummy elements are arranged in the whole wafer, unevenness appears on the surface of the laser array and the probability of wire cut-off is raised.

However, if unevenness exists under the bottom of the bonding pads, the mesa structure may be damaged at the time of wire bonding, which causes a faulty surface-emitting laser array to be produced.

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