Surface-Emitting Laser Aperture Geometry for Stable Beam Modes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surface-emitting laser devices face issues with increasing divergence angles and beam pattern splitting due to higher mode shifts when high currents are applied or aperture sizes increase, leading to reduced light output and voltage efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The surface-emitting laser device incorporates a design with a first reflective layer, an active region, and a plurality of aperture regions with insulating regions, where the aperture regions have a polygonal shape and recesses to control the beam mode and delay higher mode shifts, improving optical confinement and voltage efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If high current is applied to increase light output, then light output is improved, but divergence angle increases and beam pattern splits due to higher mode shifts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric aperture shapes (rectangular, triangular, or trapezoidal instead of circular) to create asymmetric optical confinement that suppresses higher-order modes. This asymmetric geometry modifies the mode distribution and prevents mode splitting, allowing high current operation while maintaining stable beam patterns and controlled divergence angles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the aperture shape parameter from circular to polygonal forms (rectangular, triangular, trapezoidal) to fundamentally alter the optical mode structure. This parameter change in aperture geometry creates different boundary conditions that suppress higher-order modes and stabilize the fundamental mode, enabling high light output without beam pattern degradation.
2Illumination intensity
If aperture size is increased to improve light output, then light output is improved, but higher mode shifts occur causing beam pattern splitting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses asymmetric aperture geometries (rectangular, triangular, or trapezoidal shapes) that provide superior mode control compared to circular apertures. These asymmetric shapes create specific boundary conditions that suppress higher-order modes even at larger aperture sizes, maintaining precise beam pattern control while enabling increased light output through larger aperture dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent fundamentally changes the aperture shape parameter from circular to polygonal forms, which alters the optical confinement characteristics. This parameter change enables larger aperture sizes to be used without triggering higher-mode shifts, as the polygonal geometry provides different mode selection rules that maintain beam pattern integrity at larger dimensions.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional circular aperture is used, then manufacturing is simple, but beam mode stability deteriorates at high current and large aperture sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from symmetric circular apertures to asymmetric polygonal apertures (rectangular, triangular, or trapezoidal). While these asymmetric shapes require slightly more complex manufacturing processes, they provide dramatically improved beam mode stability, especially under high current and large aperture conditions, making the additional manufacturing complexity worthwhile for achieving reliable mode control.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design effectively stabilizes the beam mode, prevents beam pattern splitting, and enhances light output while improving voltage efficiency by controlling the divergence angle and optical confinement around the active layer.
Implementation Method 1
a first reflective layer, an active region disposed on the first reflective layer
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of aperture regions with insulating regions, where the aperture regions have a polygonal shape and recesses to control the beam mode and delay higher mode shifts, improving optical confinement
Data Source
AI summary
The embodiment relates to a surface emitting laser device and a light emitting device including the same.The surface-emitting laser device according to the embodiment includes a first reflective layer, an active region disposed on the first reflective layer, a plurality of aperture regions disposed on the active region, including an aperture and an insulating region, a second reflective layer disposed on the aperture region, and a first electrode and a second electrode electrically connected to the first reflective layer and the second reflective layer, respectively.In the aperture region, an outer periphery of the insulating region may have a circular shape, and an outer periphery of the aperture may have a polygonal shape.