Emission properties of surface-emitting distributed-feedback and distributed-Bragg-reflector semiconductor lasers

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Semiconductor Device Physics

Background:

• Vertical-cavity semiconductor lasers are crucial for optical communication.
• Achieving stable single-longitudinal-mode operation is essential for high-performance lasers.
• Spatial hole burning can degrade laser performance and stability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and compare the performance of distributed-Bragg-reflector (DBR) and distributed-feedback (DFB) semiconductor lasers above threshold.
• To analyze the phenomenon of spatial hole burning in different laser structures.
• To determine which laser design offers superior single-longitudinal-mode stability.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a single-mode transfer equation model for theoretical analysis.
• Simulated the operational characteristics of DBR and DFB semiconductor lasers.
• Quantified envelope spatial hole burning in the studied laser structures.

Main Results:

• DBR lasers demonstrated significantly less envelope spatial hole burning compared to single and double phase-shifted DFB lasers.
• The reduced spatial hole burning in DBR lasers suggests improved mode stability.
• The findings provide insights into the factors influencing single-mode operation in vertical-cavity lasers.

Conclusions:

• DBR lasers are potentially more suitable for stable single-longitudinal-mode operation than DFB lasers due to reduced spatial hole burning.
• The transfer equation model effectively predicts laser performance differences.
• Further research can explore optimization of DBR structures for enhanced single-mode stability.