Optimization of electrically tunable VCSEL with intracavity nematic liquid crystal

We optimize the wavelength tuning range of a Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser with an intracavity layer of nematic Liquid Crystal (LC-VCSEL) lasing around 1.3 μm. The tunability is obtained by applying voltage to the liquid crystal layer, which esentially is to vary the refractive index from the extraordinary to the ordinary. We achieve 71.6 nm continuous tuning (without mode hopping) with liquid crystal thickness of about 3.2 μm. We investigate the impact of ambient temperature on the LC-VCSEL tuning range and show that mode-hop tuning can be achieved in the temperature range from -10°C to 50°C where the LC is in nematic phase.