Single mode operation of a curved-mirror vertical-emitting laser with an active distributed Bragg reflector

Abstract

Stable single transverse mode operation is achieved from curved-mirror vertical-emitting lasers at 850 nm. By including gain-producing layers inside the bottom distributed Bragg reflector (DBR), we remove unnecessary multi-cavity effect. With continuous wave optical pumping at 663 nm, single mode power up to 7 mW is observed at room temperature. When pumped near the center of the curved mirror made of optical epoxy, the device operates in a single transverse mode reliably. The diameter of the fundamental mode is generally larger than 10 mum. As the pump position moves away from the center, lasing from higher-order modes is observed.