Progress in the design and development of AlGaInP visible VCSELs

Abstract

The design of visible vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VVCSELs) is improved by using numerical simulations based on the drift-diffusion model which take into account such specific features of the VVCSELs as multiple interfaces and indirect bandgaps in the distributed Bragg reflectors (DBRs). The simulation procedures have been tested and refined by comparison with experimental measurements on edge-emitting lasers. These results have been used to analyse a range of design alterations for VVCSELs. VVCSEL structures based on the new designs have been fabricated and show improved characteristics over previous designs, in good agreement with the predicted values.