Vertical coupled-cavity surface emitting laser diodes

We report the first electrically injected vertical coupled-cavity surface emitting laser (VCCSEL) and demonstrate two methods for chirpless modulation of the laser. Cleaved coupled-cavity (C/sup 3/) devices have been used to achieve mode suppression and frequency stabilization in edge-emitting lasers (Tsang et al, 1983). Using composite resonators within a vertical cavity laser opens up new possibilities due to the unique ability to: (i) tailor the coupling between the cavities; (ii) dynamically modify the cavity interaction; and (iii) incorporate passive or active resonators which are spectrally degenerate or slightly detuned. Previous photopumping studies of VCCSELs have demonstrated three mode coupling (two photonic and one excitonic) (Stanley et al, 1994), dual wavelength emission (Michler et al, 1997), and short pulse generation (Pellandrin et al, 1997). Our simulations show that VCCSELs can be utilized to control spectral and temporal properties within the laser. In the paper, we show two methods for "external" laser modulation arising from novel cavity coupling phenomena.