Publications Details
Numerical Investigation of Leaky-Mode Coupling in VCSELs
Recent advances in Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser (VCSEL) technology that have led to higher efficiencies and lower thresholds have opened up a new realm of applications for these devices. In particular, phase-locked arrays of VCSELs1, previously thought to be impractical due to thermal considerations, now look extremely attractive as high-power and highbrightness sources. In addition, a new understanding of waveguiding in VCSELs2 has led to practical methods for designing phase-locked arrays employing either evansecent or leaky-mode (antiguided) coupling. The latter type of coupling is particularly attractive in light of previous calculations1 that predict especially strong mode discrimination against higher-order lateral modes. In this paper we report the first detailed simulation of leaky-mode coupling between two VCSEL pixels performed without the use of simplifying assumptions such as the effective index model. The results of this simulation are, however, found to be in good agreement with previously-developed simple theories3 of leaky-mode coupling.