Continuous wavelength tuning of two-electrode vertical cavity surface emitting lasers

The first continuously wavelength-tunable vertical cavity surface emitting laser is reported. The total tuning range is 18 AA (540 GHz) including a 4-6 AA blue shift. The laser power remains nearly constant with the tuning current for most of the tuning range. No mode hopping was observed. Using time-resolved spectrum measurement, the tuning time is determined to be approximately 300-400 ns.