NUMERICAL MODELING OF UNDERCUT RIDGE VCSELS DESIGNED FOR CW OPERATIONAT 1.3 MU-M - DESIGN OPTIMIZATION

Optimized undercut ridge long-wavelength vertical-cavity surface-emitt ing semiconductor lasers (LW-VCSEL's) are investigated and the influen ce of thermal effects on the light versus current characteristics is a nalyzed by thermal-electric, optical, and electronic modeling, The mod el includes nonuniform current injection, carrier diffusion, stimulate d emission, distributed heat sources, and active material band structu re calculations, Device parameters such as thermal resistance, thresho ld current, and external quantum efficiency are evaluated, in an attem pt to provide an understanding of the current-funneling mechanism and the thermal limitations of such devices, Simulated power versus curren t characteristics exhibit the typical thermal roll-over in CW operatio n.