Patent ID: 6577658
Filing Date: 2003-06-10
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
A planar index guided vertical cavity surface emitting laser comprising:substantially planar layers of a substrate, an n-DBR mirror coupled to the substrate, an active area coupled to the n-DBR mirror, and a p-DBR mirror coupled to the active area; the p-DBR mirror including, a plurality of index guide openings in the p-DBR mirror surrounding an optical confinement region extending from the active area to a surface of the p-DBR mirror, the index guide openings having a bottom depth approaching the active area, the index guide openings providing a different index of refraction from the index of refraction of the p-DBR mirror to provide total internal reflection for index guiding and optical confinement in the optical confinement region, an implanted proton region surrounding the optical confinement region, the implanted proton region to improve current confinement in the active area and lower the threshold current for lasing, and an electrically insulating material coating p-DBR surfaces within the plurality of index guide openings; and, a first contact terminal and a second contact terminal, the first contact terminal coupled to the p-DBR mirror in such a way to allow emission of photons from the surface of the p-DBR mirror in the optical confinement region and provide a large contact surface area with low contact resistance, the second contact terminal coupled to the substrate.