Coherently-coupled vertical-cavity laser arrays

Coherently-coupled vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) arrays offer a unique approach to beam steering and high-radiance applications, and have many advantages such as small size, low cost, high speed, durability and manufacturing ease. Previous work on coherently-coupled VCSEL arrays has left unfinished the tasks of determining the beam steering mechanism within the arrays and achieving current uniformity across large arrays without resorting to overly-complicated fabrication procedures. This work fulfills the former by establishing a full theoretical connection between the differential current injected into the array elements and the observed steering of the far-field beam. Record high beam-steering speed and phase responsivity are also demonstrated, showing promise for applications in high-speed modulation. The first in-phase emission from a coherently-coupled bottom-emitting VCSEL array is also demonstrated, along with significantly improved current uniformity across larger arrays.

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

2014

Author dc:creator

• Johnson, Matthew

Contributors dc:contributor

• Choquette, Kent D.
• Coleman, James J.
• Popescu, Gabriel
• Wasserman, Daniel M.

• vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers
• beam steering
• phased array
• optical phased array
• semiconductor laser array
• diode laser array
• coupled mode theory
• dynamic coupled mode theory

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2013 Matthew Johnson

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/46669

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/46669