Design and characterization of MECSELs for widely tunable (>25 THz) continuous wave operation

Patrik Rajala, Philipp Tatar-Mathes, Hoy My Phung, Jesse Koskinen, Sanna Ranta, Mircea Guina, Hermann Kahle

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionScientificpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)
7 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Membrane external-cavity surface-emitting lasers (MECSELs) are vertically emitting semiconductor lasers that combine all the benefits of VECSELs (vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting lasers) with the new degree of freedom in creating gain structures without monolithically integrated distributed Bragg reflectors (DBRs). The absence of the DBR and the substrate, and the use of a very thin gain membrane (typically some hundreds of nanometers), which can be sandwiched between two transparent heat spreaders, represents the best solution for heat removal. The membrane configuration also allows the option of double side pumping, which in turn makes it possible to utilize an extensive amount of quantum well (QW) groups as well as multiple kinds of QWs in a periodic laser gain structure. Here we report on design strategy and results of different kinds of approaches on broadband, relatively high power MECSEL gain structures. Especially efficient pump absorption, sufficient gain on several different wavelengths and carrier mobility during laser operation, are discussed. We also present the characteristics of the laser systems created. Results show ∼83 nm (∼25 THz) tuning range with more than 100 mW of power at all wavelengths at room temperature operation. Strategies for further development are discussed as well.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationVertical External Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers (VECSELs) XI
EditorsMircea Guina
PublisherSPIE
ISBN (Electronic)9781510648395
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 4 Mar 2022
Publication typeA4 Article in conference proceedings
EventVertical External Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers - Virtual, Online
Duration: 20 Feb 202224 Feb 2022
Conference number: 11

Publication series

NameProgress in Biomedical Optics and Imaging - Proceedings of SPIE
Volume11984
ISSN (Print)1605-7422

Conference

ConferenceVertical External Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers
Abbreviated titleVECSEL
CityVirtual, Online
Period20/02/2224/02/22

Keywords

  • broadband gain
  • laser
  • MECSEL
  • membrane laser
  • power-scaling
  • semiconductor
  • thermal management
  • tunable lasers
  • VECSEL

Publication forum classification

  • Publication forum level 1

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
  • Biomaterials
  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging

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