Semiconductor laser diode mode properties arising from engineered photonic crystals

Semiconductor lasers are an essential technology that finds widespread use in numerous applications. The performance of these lasers depends on their modal characteristics, which, in turn, are determined by the laser cavity's design. As a result, the laser cavity plays a critical role in tailoring the device to a specific application. This work explores modifications to the cavity through dual-element coupled vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) arrays, photonic crystal surface emitting lasers (PCSEL), and topological cavity surface emitting lasers (TCSEL), all of which use photonic crystals. Our analysis of the VCSEL array reveals that the device operates in three distinct regimes: a single independent local mode, a region of two modes that are primarily localized into a specific cavity, and a region of two supermodes whose fields extend across both elements. When we focus our analysis on the coherently-coupled region, we identify two supermodes that create a photon-photon resonance, which enhances the digital modulation in these devices. We also investigate PCSELs and TCSELs for use in high-brightness applications, where a buried dielectric photonic crystal is used to create a photonic bandgap which is scalable while maintaining a single mode. We discuss the requirements for device fabrication, define mask layouts, and optimize design parameters. Overall, this work presents a comprehensive analysis of various modifications to a semiconductor laser diode cavity and highlights their potential for emerging applications.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Electrical & Computer Engr

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2023

Author dc:creator

• North, William Keith

Contributors dc:contributor

• Choquette, Kent D
• Lee, Minjoo L
• Goddard, Lynford L
• Dragic, Peter D

• Optical Coupling
• Phased Arrays
• Semiconductor Laser Arrays
• Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2023 William North

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/121355

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F121355