Patent ID: 6507595
Filing Date: 2003-01-14
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
A vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) device comprising a plurality of VCSEL elements arranged on a common substrate, each VCSEL element comprising first minor means and second mirror means, each having a predefined reflectivity at a predetermined wavelength, for forming an optical resonator for said wavelength, a laser active region disposed between said first and said second mirror means, and a grid layer arranged over said first mirror means, said grid layer having a plurality of openings corresponding to the respective VCSEL elements,wherein said VCSEL device further comprises a contact layer having a predetermined thickness, said contact layer being interposed between each of said first mirror means and said grid layer, wherein an optical thickness of said contact layer in combination with a reflectivity and an absorption of said grid layer is selected so as to provide an effective reflectivity of each of said first mirror means depending on said grid layer and being different for areas covered by the grid and areas corresponding to said grid openings.