HIGH-PERFORMANCE AND NOVEL EFFECTS OF MICROMECHANICAL TUNABLE VERTICAL-CAVITY LASERS

Widely continuously tunable sources are key elements for many applicat ions. This paper discusses the first integrated laser able to continuo usly tune its wavelength more than 1%: the micromechanical tunable ver tical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL). These devices have demons trated up 19.1 nm of continuous tuning, threshold currents as low as 4 60 mu A, and powers as high as 0.9 mW. In addition to these results, t his paper discusses the tuning speed, lifetime, and applicability as a new broad-band source of these devices. Despite mechanical tuning, sp eeds of mu s are possible and long lifetime is expected. A detailed co nsideration of the design and fabrication of these devices is performe d. Finally, an interesting mode switching effect is presented.