Static and Dynamic Properties of Coherently-Coupled Photonic-Crystal Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser Arrays

Harshil Dave, Zihe Gao, Stewart Thomas Mc Kee Fryslie, Bradley J. Thompson, Kent D. Choquette

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We report progress on phased 850 nm vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser arrays that can be designed to operate reliably through control of individual injection current to each laser element. In this manner, nearly all fabricated arrays can be biased to be mutually phase locked. This paper attempts to visualize and characterize the locking region between two neighboring lasers by measuring far-field visibility to create a two-dimensional visibility map. Experimental data show that the locking region can be shifted or changed by ambient temperature, asymmetric array design, and fabrication imperfections. Additionally, the relative intensity noise and harmonic distortion are measured to characterize the dynamic behavior of coherently coupled laser arrays in the locking region. Two-dimensional maps of total relative intensity noise and total harmonic distortion are created to visualize laser array dynamics in the locking region. The data show that the laser array must be carefully designed, biased, and modulated within the locking region to achieve an output signal with low noise, low distortion, and improved modulation performance.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number8717703
JournalIEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics
Volume25
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1 2019

Keywords

  • Vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs)
  • phased arrays
  • semiconductor laser arrays

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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