Patent ID: 6876687

Claim:
In a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL), comprising: vertically stacked material layers including a first material layer positioned above a second material layer, an intermediate region being disposed therebetween, electrical current flowing between the first material layer and the second material layer through the intermediate region during operation of the VCSEL; and a current confinement structure for laterally restricting the flow of electrical current passing through the intermediate region, comprising: a central column of semiconductor material vertically extending between the first and second material layers; a subsurface cavity laterally circumscribing said central column of semiconductor material and vertically extending between the first and second material layers, said subsurface cavity being filled with a non-solid material or vacuum; and an outer support element laterally surrounding said subsurface cavity, said outer support element comprising a non-electrically-conducting material, said outer support element mechanically supporting said first and second material layers in conjunction with said central column of semiconductor material, the electrical current being laterally confined to said central column while passing from the first layer to the second layer.