Analysis and applications of coupled leaky-mode, implant-defined surface-emitting laser arrays

Anti-guided vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) arrays have been designed, fabricated, and characterized using a number of methods. Two-dimensional coherent arrays are useful for biological and atmospheric sensing, free-space and fiber-based optical links, high-power laser pumps, and optical imaging. Coherently coupled arrays exhibit desirable characteristics such as low beam divergence and high brightness. However, the fabrication procedures necessary for such designs are typically complicated and expensive. This work demonstrates and explores a new and much simpler anti-guided VCSEL array design using ion implantation and photonic crystal confinement. The origin of anti-guiding in these laser arrays is described in detail, and design rules for optimizing performance are discussed. A complete description of the means to achieve optical coupling in surface-emitting laser arrays, as well as the coherence in these arrays, is presented through both theoretical and experimental investigations. These lasers are shown to be capable of producing highly coherent, single-mode, in-phase output beams. The application of such arrays as low-divergence and steerable sources is demonstrated experimentally.

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

2011

Author dc:creator

• Siriani, Dominic F.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Choquette, Kent D.
• Bernhard, Jennifer T.
• Carney, Paul S.
• Coleman, James J.
• Eden, James G.

• Semiconductor laser arrays
• Vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2011 Dominic Francis Siriani

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/24284

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/24284