Patent ID: 7149236

Claim:
An optical transmitter suitable for use in connection with an optical communications system that includes an optical fiber transmission medium, the optical transmitter comprising: a substrate; and a surface emitting laser attached to the substrate and configured for optical communication with the optical fiber, the surface emitting laser comprising: a first semiconductor-layer of a first doping type, wherein the first doping type is selected from a group consisting of n-type doping and p-type doping; a second semiconductor layer of a second doping type, wherein the second doping type is selected from a group consisting of n-type doping and p-type doping, and the second doping type is different from the first doping type; an active region located between the first and second semiconductor layers; a third semiconductor layer of the second doping type, wherein the second and third semiconductor layers are in direct contact with each other, and an interface between the second and third semiconductor layers is characterized by at least one of: lattice mismatch; and, trap-like defects; a concentration of dopants of the second doping type located in close proximity to the interface between the second and third semiconductor layers, wherein the concentration of dopants of the second doping type is in addition to bulk dopant concentrations in either the second semiconductor layer or the third semiconductor layer; a top mirror layer; and a bottom mirror layer, the bottom mirror layer cooperating with the top mirror layer and the active region to at least partially define a laser cavity.