A vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser with enhanced transverse mode stability and polarization stable single mode output

摘要

A vertical-surface-emitting laser comprises: a first reflector means and a second reflector means arranged to define a laser resonator extending along a longitudinal direction and along transverse directions, a laser active region located between the first and second reflector means, a metal layer at the first or second reflector means and patterned to form a radiation emission window, and a phase matching layer arranged within the resonator and having an optical thickness adapted to transversely pattern a reflectivity of the first and/or second reflector means. The VCSEL device may further comprise an aperture formed between the first and second reflector means. The mode selectivity of the VCSEL is substantially determined by a reflectivity difference defined by the transverse dimensions of the radiation emission window. Moreover, one linear polarization state is stabilized by breaking the cylindrical symmetry of the VCSEL.