Impact of the top DBR in GaAs-based VCSELs on the threshold current and the cavity photon lifetime

This paper presents results of numerical simulations of a GaAs-based vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser, emitting at 980 nm. These simulations concern the influence of the number of top DBR pairs on the laser’s threshold parameters, as well as the optical loses in the cavity. Moreover, electrical parameters such as the device’s resistance and its capacitance-related temporal characteristics are analyzed as functions of the thickness of the top DBR. The simulations suggest that there is a possibility of a significant reduction in the number of pairs in the top DBR that can be beneficial in certain applications.