Nano-Ridge Surface Laser Cavity for Tunable Surface Emission

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

VCSELs face challenges such as complex epitaxial growth processes, limited wavelength range, lack of tunability, and difficulty in monolithic integration with other devices, which restrict their performance and applicability in optical communication and sensing applications.

Innovation Solution

A surface emitting lasing device comprising an array of parallel nano-ridge devices configured to form a laser cavity, allowing for reduced growth complexity, tunable emission wavelengths, and monolithic integration with other photonic or electronic devices through epitaxial growth and material deposition techniques.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If VCSELs use complex epitaxial growth process with multiple DBR mirror layers, then laser performance is improved, but manufacturing complexity and growth time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelaser performanceVSAvoidepitaxial growth process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the complex DBR mirror structure from the VCSEL design, replacing it with a simplified cavity configuration that achieves lasing without requiring multiple distributed Bragg reflector layers, thereby reducing epitaxial growth complexity while maintaining laser performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the structural parameters of the laser cavity, transitioning from a vertical cavity with complex mirrors to a configuration that utilizes the substrate itself as part of the optical cavity, fundamentally altering the design parameters to reduce manufacturing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If VCSELs operate at specific wavelengths with fixed cavity design, then laser stability is improved, but wavelength tunability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelaser wavelength stabilityVSAvoidwavelength tunability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic control capabilities to the laser system by enabling electrical tuning of the emission wavelength through current injection, allowing the laser to adapt its wavelength output while maintaining stable operation, thus combining stability with versatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If single-mode VCSELs use small aperture size, then beam quality is improved, but output power is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam qualityVSAvoidoutput power

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from conventional vertical emission to surface emission geometry, changing the dimensional characteristics of the laser output. This dimensional change allows the laser to achieve both good beam quality and higher output power by utilizing the surface emission mode rather than vertical cavity emission

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Ease of manufacture

If VCSELs use traditional vertical cavity structure, then fabrication is simplified, but monolithic integration with other devices becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefabrication simplicityVSAvoidmonolithic integration capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the laser device universal by enabling monolithic integration with other photonic and electronic devices on the same substrate. The surface-emitting configuration and substrate-integrated design allow the laser to serve multiple functions and be combined with other components, enhancing its versatility while maintaining ease of manufacture through epitaxial growth

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The device achieves reduced growth time and material consumption, enables wavelength tunability, and facilitates high-volume production with improved beam quality and integration capabilities, expanding its application in sensing, spectroscopy, and communication.

Implementation Method 1

an array of parallel nano-ridge devices being configured for together forming a laser cavity supporting a slow light band-edge lasing mode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotonic crystal: Photonic Crystal

Implementation Method 2

being configured for coupling out said laser mode from a surface of the substrate to enable surface emission

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical coupling:

Implementation Method 3

an array of parallel nano-ridge devices epitaxially grown on the substrate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEpitaxy: Epitaxy

Data Source

PatentUS20260031598A1Surface emitting lasing device

Publication Date: 2026.01.29 INTERUNIVERSITAIR MICRO ELECTRONICS CENT (IMEC VZW)

AI summary

A surface-emitting lasing device includes a substrate and an array of parallel nano-ridge devices grown epitaxially on the substrate. The nano-ridge devices are configured for together form a laser cavity that supports a slow light band-edge lasing mode for lasing across the array of nano-ridges and to couple the laser mode out from the substrate surface to enable surface emission.