Patent ID: 6594294
Filing Date: 2003-07-15
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
A segmented-mirror vertical cavity surface emitting laser comprising:an active portion including an active region having at least one quantum well and a lateral dimension, the active portion defining first and second opposed major surfaces; wherein the active portion further includes a heat spreading layer positioned adjacent to the second opposed major surface; a first mirror stack positioned on the first opposed major surface and extending laterally beyond the lateral dimension of the active region; a second mirror stack positioned on the second opposed major surface and extending laterally beyond the lateral dimension of the active region, the second mirror stack including portions positioned in thermal communication with the heat spreading layer, the portions defining first and second reflectance zones with mirror pairs in at least one of the portions being segmented to provide a first reflectivity and a first thermal impedance in the first reflectance zone, a second reflectivity lower than the first reflectivity in the second reflectance zone, and a second thermal impedance lower than the first thermal impedance in the second reflectance zone; and wherein the portion of the second mirror stack in thermal communication with the heat spreading layer has a vertical thermal impedance gradient which decreases beyond the lateral dimension of the active region.