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Updated: Jan 11, 2026
12:08
Fabrication of High Contrast Gratings for the Spectrum Splitting Dispersive Element in a Concentrated Photovoltaic System
Published on: July 18, 2015
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Optimized surface gratings for high-speed polarization switching in spin-VCSELs.
Optics Express
|November 11, 2025
Summary
Vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) can achieve ultrafast polarization modulation above 280 GHz. This breakthrough utilizes engineered birefringence in spin-VCSELs for high-speed optical data transmission.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Semiconductor Devices
- Nanophotonics
Background:
- Conventional intensity modulation in vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) is limited to 30-50 GHz.
- Polarization modulation offers a viable route to significantly higher modulation frequencies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design monolithic surface gratings for engineering birefringence in VCSELs.
- To achieve ultrafast polarization modulation while minimizing loss anisotropy and dichroism.
Main Methods:
- Rigorous coupled-wave analysis (RCWA) was employed for the design of surface gratings.
- Optimization of grating parameters and cap layer thickness was performed.
Main Results:
- Engineered birefringence enabled frequency splitting exceeding 280 GHz.
- Near-zero dichroism and practical photon lifetimes were achieved.
- A compact, fabrication-ready solution for birefringence control was demonstrated.
Conclusions:
- The developed surface gratings provide effective birefringence control in spin-VCSELs.
- This technology paves the way for ultrafast polarization-based optical data transmission.
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