Abstract
Vertical-cavity surface-emitting: lasers (vcsels) are presently the subject of intense research due to their potential as compact, efficient, astigmatic laser sources for a number of important applications. Interest in these devices has increased still further due to recent reports of record-low thresholds1 and record-high wall-plug efficiencies2. Most of the prevalent vcsel designs operate in multiple lateral modes, however, limiting their usefulness. In general, little attention has been paid to lateral mode discrimination in vcsels, partly because of the need for addressing other more pressing issues, and partly due to the lack of a fundamental understanding of waveguiding and the physics of optical confinement in such devices. Here, we present the first theoretical treatment of waveguiding in vcsels that properly includes the effects of the resonant cavity. The resulting treatment immediately suggests new designs for leaky-mode (antiguided) vcsels that should result in devices operating in the fundamental mode to powers much higher than presently attainable.
© 1996 Optical Society of America
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