Patent ID: 6980577

Claim:
A layered optical device comprising: a substrate; in order along a vertical direction away from the substrate: a planar bottom mirror; a plurality of layers comprising at least a buried active region, wherein at least some of the plurality of layers have been removed in lateral areas away from a central vertical laser cavity; underfill in the space vacated by the removed layers, wherein a top surface of the underfill is below a top surface of the unremoved layers such that a non-planar surface is formed; and a non-planar top mirror disposed to form a vertical laser cavity with the planar bottom mirror, wherein the planar bottom mirror, buried active region, and non-planar top mirror are integrated on the substrate, and wherein the non-planarity of the top surface is caused by the non-planar surface of the underfill and the unremoved layers; and a current path traversing the buried active region, for electrically pumping the buried active region to provide gain for the vertical laser cavity.