Square-lattice photonic-crystal vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers

The single mode square lattice photonic-crystal vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (PC-VCSELs) are proposed and demonstrated. Square-lattice photonic-crystal patterns of various lattice constants are introduced on top mirrors of VCSELs having two different current apertures. The maximum single mode output power of about 1 mW is obtained from the device with lattice constant of 5.0 m and current aperture of 16 m. The PC-VCSEL operates in a single transverse mode in an entire operating current range with a side-mode suppression ratio of over 20 dB. The asymmetric introduction of smaller air holes improves the polarization selectivity.