VCSEL Ring Current Confinement for Stable Transverse Modes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vertical cavity surface emitting devices struggle with unstable light emission patterns, particularly in terms of transverse modes, leading to inefficiencies in laser beam output and stability.
Innovation Solution
A vertical cavity surface emitting device is designed with a low resistance region in a ring shape between reflecting mirrors, surrounded by higher resistance regions, which confines current injection to the ring-shaped region, stabilizing the eigenmode and enhancing optical confinement, thereby promoting stable transverse mode emission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a conventional vertical cavity surface emitting device is used, then the device structure is simple, but the light emission pattern is unstable and the transverse mode cannot be controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating regions with different electrical resistance characteristics within the light-emitting structure layer. Specifically, a first region with lower electrical resistance and a second region with higher electrical resistance are formed in different lateral positions, allowing different parts of the device to have different current confinement properties. This enables stable transverse mode control through localized electrical property variations without requiring complex overall device restructuring.
2Stability of the object's composition
If current is injected uniformly across the active region, then the device operation is simple, but the transverse mode stability deteriorates due to lack of current confinement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by forming regions with different electrical resistance characteristics in the light-emitting structure layer. The first region with lower electrical resistance and the second region with higher electrical resistance create localized current confinement zones. This allows the current to be naturally directed and confined to specific areas, achieving stable transverse mode operation through the inherent electrical property differences rather than requiring complex external control mechanisms.
3Loss of energy
If no current confinement structure is provided, then the device manufacturing is simple, but optical loss increases due to poor mode confinement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating regions with different electrical resistance characteristics within the light-emitting structure layer. The first region with lower electrical resistance and the second region with higher electrical resistance work together to confine current and improve optical mode confinement. This approach reduces optical loss through the inherent electrical property variations without requiring additional complex confinement structures or manufacturing steps.
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 configuration allows for highly efficient generation and emission of laser beams with high output power and stable far-field patterns by ensuring the laser beam operates in a single eigenmode, reducing optical loss and heat generation.
Implementation Method 1
The light-emitting structure layer includes a low resistance region and a high resistance region. The low resistance region is disposed in a ring shape between the first multilayer film reflecting mirror and the second multilayer film reflecting mirror. The high resistance region is formed inside the low resistance region and has an electrical resistance higher than an electrical resistance of the low resistance region.
Data Source
AI summary
A vertical cavity surface emitting device includes a substrate, a first multilayer film reflecting mirror formed on the substrate, a light-emitting structure layer formed on the first multilayer film reflecting mirror and including a light-emitting layer, and a second multilayer film reflecting mirror formed on the light-emitting structure layer. A resonator is constituted between the second multilayer film reflecting mirror and the first multilayer film reflecting mirror. The light-emitting structure layer includes a low resistance region and high resistance regions. The low resistance region is disposed in a ring shape between the first multilayer film reflecting mirror and the second multilayer film reflecting mirror. The high resistance regions are formed inside and outside the low resistance region and have electrical resistances higher than an electrical resistance of the low resistance region.