High single-transverse-mode output from external-cavity surface-emitting laser diodes

Abstract

Room-temperature cw electrically pumped external-cavity surface-emitting laser diodes are reported. The external cavity provides a way to control the transverse modes of the surface-emitting laser diodes. Powers greater than 100 mW pulsed and 2.4 mW cw in the lowest order (TEM00) transverse mode are reported. The surface-emitting laser diode was grown on a p-doped substrate, resulting in uniform current injection in devices as large as 100 μm in diameter. To our knowledge, this is also the first report of a working surface-emitting laser diode grown on a p-type substrate.