A two-step metalorganic chemical vapor deposition growth process is used to
fabricate antiguided vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) inco
rporating a simplified-antiresonant reflecting optical waveguide (S-ARROW)
design. Preliminary results show single-mode cw operation up to 1 mW output
power from a 12 mu m-diam (lambda = 930 nm) S-ARROW VCSEL with a large lat
eral index step (Delta n = 0.1). Modal discrimination in the S-ARROW-VCSEL
is calculated using a fiber-mode approximation and device optimization for
high-single-mode powers is discussed. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physic
s. [S0003-6951(00)05013-0].