MODAL AND THRESHOLD ANALYSIS OF DIELECTRIC-APERTURED VERTICAL-CAVITY SURFACE-EMITTING LASERS

The resonant wavelengths and mode radii of the dominant and certain hi gher order TEMmp modes supported by an oxide apertured vertical cavity surface emitting lasers are determined using a scalar variational for mula. The reflectivity of the Bragg mirrors and the photon lifetime ar e calculated for each mode and both are found to decrease with decreas ing oxide aperture diameter and increasing mode number. The aperture d iameter, thickness, and axial position in the cavity, together with th e refractive index contrast ratio used in the Bragg mirrors, are shown to be important in controlling the suppression of higher order modes. (C) 1998 American Institute of Physics.