Microscopic modelling of ultrafast optical switching in coupled arrays of vertical cavity surface emitting lasers for optical interconnects

In view of novel applications of ultra-high-speed vertical cavity surface e mitting lasers (VCSEL) for optical interconnects and computing a microscopi c theoretical model is presented which allows a general and well-founded mo delling of these devices beyond the validity of conventional rate-equation approaches at ultra-fast time-scales. The model takes into account, in part icular, the coupling of macroscopic device-related constraints (like the sh ape of the cavity) together with the ultra-fast intrinsic processes. It the reby provides the basis for the investigation and design of ultra-fast and coupled VCSELs. Simulations demonstrate the overall relevance of internal e ffects like the combination of microscopic spatial and spectral dynamics of the carrier distribution functions and the nonlinear polarization of the a ctive semiconductor medium for VCSELs on short time-scales. (C) 2000 Publis hed by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.