Second-Harmonic Generation in Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser

Abstract

A concept for a short-wavelength compact laser is proposed, in which second-harmonic coherent light is produced by converting fundamental light lased in a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser. A layer is incorporated inside the laser cavity particularly for efficient second-harmonic generation. This layer consists of second-order optical nonlinear crystals which are preferably III–V- or II–VI-system compound semiconductors epitaxially grown with crystal orientation tilted from <100>. Simulation indicates that the device will produce several hundred µ W with AlAs/GaAs alternating layers for second-harmonic generation and an InGaAs active layer for lasing.