Heterogeneous integration, single-mode MEMS-VCSEL with super-span resonance filtering, small divergence angle, and...

Area of Science:

• Optoelectronics
• Photonics
• Materials Science

Background:

• Vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) are crucial for wavelength-division multiplexing passive optical networks (WDM-PON).
• Existing VCSEL designs struggle with stable single-mode emission and beam quality across tunable ranges.
• Limitations in laser beam quality hinder widespread adoption in advanced optical communication systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and fabricate a novel heterogeneous integration (HI) micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) tunable VCSEL.
• To achieve continuous wavelength tuning with stable single-mode operation and high beam quality.
• To demonstrate the potential of this device for WDM-PON applications.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of an electrically pumped 1060 nm heterogeneous integration (HI) super-span resonance filtering micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) tunable VCSEL.
• Characterization of wavelength tuning range, mode stability, and beam quality (Gaussian distribution, divergence angle).
• Experimental verification of single-mode laser operation across the entire tuning spectrum.

Main Results:

• Achieved a continuous wavelength tuning range of 34.41 nm at room temperature.
• Demonstrated stable single-mode laser operation across the entire tuning range.
• Observed an almost ideal Gaussian beam profile with a minimum divergence angle of 8.65° for the linear polarization mode.

Conclusions:

• The developed single-mode HI MEMS-VCSEL exhibits high beam quality and wide continuous tuning.
• This technology shows significant potential as a light source for WDM-PON.
• The findings open new avenues for advanced optical communication and other photonic applications.