Near field optical apparatus
A near field optical apparatus comprising a conductive sheet or plane having an aperture therein with the conductive plane including at least one protrusion which extends into the aperture. The location, structure and configuration of the protrusion or protrusions can be controlled to provide desired near field localization of optical power output associated with the aperture. Preferably, the location, structure and configuration of the protrusion are tailored to maximize near field localization at generally the center of the aperture. The aperture preferably has a perimeter dimension which is substantially resonant with the output wavelength of the light source, or is otherwise able to support a standing wave of significant amplitude. The apparatus may be embodied in a vertical cavity surface emitting layer or VCSEL having enhanced nearfield brightness by providing a conductive layer on the laser emission facet, with, a protrusion of the conductive layer extending into an aperture in the emission facet. The aperture in the emission facet preferably has dimensions smaller than the guide mode of the laser, and the aperture preferably defines different regions of reflectivity under the emission facet. The depth of the aperture can be etched to provide a particular target loss, and results in higher optical power extraction from the emission facet.
Latest Research Investment Network, Inc. Patents:
- Minimizing the dependency of source code on the in-band resources of a set-top box
- Method of data display for electronic program guides (EPGs) on a remote control
- Near field optical apparatus
- Semiconductor laser and associated drive circuit substrate
- Method and apparatus for recording to and reading from a multi-layer diffractive optics memory
This application is a continuation of U.S. Non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 09/650,969, filed on Aug. 29, 2000, which claims benefit to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/151,492, filed on Aug. 30,1999, and all of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains generally to near-field optical devices and methods, and more particularly to an optical emitter apparatus and method utilizing a conductive plane with a resonant aperture configured for near field localization. The invention may be used with edge emitting, corner emitting and surface emitting semiconductor lasers as well as other near field radiation sources.
2. Description of the Background Art
Near-field optical techniques require the use of radiation source apertures and distances on the order of generally less than the wavelength λ of the radiation source. Near field optical technologies offer high optical data storage densities, increased microscopic resolution, and other advantages. Near field technologies have utilized surface and edge emitting lasers, tapered optical fibers with metallized surfaces, and solid immersion lens techniques.
One class of semiconductor lasers which has appeared promising for near-field applications are vertical cavity, surface emitting lasers or VCSELs. These surface or top-emitting lasers generally have laser cavity or “post” with an active region surrounded by stacks of interleaved quarter wave semiconductor layers which define mirrors about the active region laser cavity. The active region can be in bulk form or have single or multiple quantum well, quantum wire and/or quantum dot structures therein. There are also p- and n-type conductive regions included on opposite sides of the active region, and the VCSEL can be turned on and off by varying the current through the p-n junction diode.
Top surface emitting GaAs, AlGaAs, AlGaInP, InGaAs, InGaAsP and InP VCSEL devices are relatively easy and inexpensive to manufacture, and generally can be produced via low-cost, high volume semiconductor IC fabrication methods using metal organic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE), liquid phase epitaxy (LPE) or molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) techniques. The laser cavity structures are typically deposited or grown vertically on a substrate and have an emission face defined by ion implantation, lateral oxidation, by polyimide or other dielectric, or free-standing post. The lateral oxidation and dielectric encapsulant techniques will generally provide for a lower effective refractive index in the region bounding the core of the laser structure, resulting in improved optical confinement relative to the ion implanted emission face. However, VCSEL devices of both types generally have been demonstrated with good reproducibility, uniformity and reliability.
Currently available VCSEL devices can be designed to effectively provide transverse and longitudinal mode laser light with a relatively high degree of intrinsic polarization. VCSELs also provide a radially symmetric Gaussian near-field with low divergence angle, which simplifies coupling to optics or fibers. An important drawback of VCSEL devices, however, is that they provide relatively low single mode optical power output compared to edge emitting lasers. The limitation on power output has limited the use of VCSEL devices in near-field technologies. Edge-emitting diode laser devices are known which provide higher optical power, but such devices are much more difficult and expensive to manufacture, and further require relatively large drive currents for operation.
For the purposes of near field optical recording, the total power requirement is modest and within the capability of the VCSEL device. However, the power density at the emission facet is greatly reduced relative to the edge emitter. Since in near field applications it is the power density which is operative, the conventional edge emitter is advantaged over the conventional VCSEL.
There is accordingly a need for a near field optical device which provides high optical power density, which provides good near field localization, and which can be embodied in vertical cavity surface emitting lasers, edge emitting lasers and other radiation sources. The present invention satisfies these needs, as well as others, and generally overcomes the deficiencies found in the background art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention pertains to a near field optical apparatus which provides high output power with effective near field localization. In its most general terms, the invention is a near field optical apparatus comprising a conductive sheet or plane having an aperture therein, with the conductive plane including at least one protrusion which extends into the aperture. The location, structure and configuration of the protrusion or protrusions can be controlled to provide desired near field localization of optical power output associated with the aperture. Preferably, the location, structure and configuration of the protrusion are tailored to maximize near field localization at generally the center of the aperture. The aperture preferably has a perimeter dimension which is substantially resonant with the output wavelength of the light source, or is otherwise able to support a standing wave of significant amplitude.
By way of example, and not of limitation, the near field apparatus will also preferably include a light source. The conductive layer or plane may comprise a layer or sheet of gold, silver, platinum or other highly conductive metal or metal alloy associated with the light source. The protrusion of the conductive plane generally defines first and second regions in the aperture which are separated, or at least partially separated, by the protrusion. The protrusion also defines generally a waist or connecting section which joins or connects the first and second regions.
The first and second regions may be elongated in the direction of polarization of the light source. The protrusion may be in the form of a stub or tab which is rectangular, rounded, or pointed in shape or formed as a truncated point. The first and second regions may comprise first and second slots or slits which are substantially parallel to each other, with the slots separated by the protrusion of the conductive plane, and joined together by the connector region. The protrusion may be insular in nature, such that it is electrically isolated from the surrounding conductive plane.
In some presently preferred embodiments, the light source comprises a semiconductor laser, with the conductive plane comprising a metal layer associated with the emission facet of the laser, such that the invention provides a semiconductor laser apparatus with enhanced near field brightness. The invention may be embodied in a vertical cavity surface emitting laser comprising a laser apparatus having a laser active region, a first or upper reflective region adjacent one side of the active region, a second or lower reflective region adjacent the opposite side of the active region, a conductive and reflective metal layer adjacent the outer surface of the first reflective region, and an aperture in the metal layer which extends inward or downward through a portion of the reflective region, and which has dimensions which are generally smaller than the guide mode of the laser apparatus. The aperture is configured such that at least one protrusion in the metal layer extends into the aperture.
By way of example, and not of limitation, the active region of the laser apparatus preferably comprises a plurality of quantum well and quantum barrier structures. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the upper reflective region preferably comprises a first or upper set of distributed Bragg reflector or DBR mirrors, and the lower reflective region preferably comprises a second or lower set of DBR mirrors. The upper DBR mirror set preferably comprises a plurality of p-doped, quarter wave dielectric layer pairs, and the lower DBR mirror set preferably comprises a plurality of n-doped quarter wave layer pairs. A p-doped semiconductor layer is preferably included between the quantum well active region and the upper, p-doped DBR mirror set, and an n-doped semiconductor layer is preferably included between the quantum well active region and the n-doped DBR mirror set. The conductive layer is preferred highly reflective, and may act as a mirror together with the upper DBR mirror set.
Preferably, a semiconductor contact layer is positioned between the reflective conducting layer and the upper DBR mirror set. Means are provided for optimizing adhesion of the reflective metal layer to the semiconductor contact layer, and means are provided for reducing reactivity between the reflective conducting layer and semiconductor contact layer. The adhesion optimization means and reactivity reducing means preferably comprise an oxide layer, preferably TiO2, and an AlGaAs layer, positioned between the reflective conducting layer and the semiconductor contact layer.
The aperture in the emission face preferably extends inward from the emission face into the upper reflective layer such that a region of lower reflectivity is defined beneath the aperture. In one embodiment, a smaller number of dielectric layer pairs are present between the bottom of the aperture and the active region than are present between the surrounding emission face and the active region. The aperture in the emission face may extend inward, for example, to a depth such that there are between about one half and one quarter fewer quarter wave dielectric layer pairs between the bottom of the aperture and the active region than are between the emission face and the active region. In the embodiment with a metal reflective layer, the aperture preferably extends inward through reflective metal layer, such that the emission face surrounding the aperture has reflectivity from the reflective metal layer as well as a plurality of dielectric layer pairs, while the area beneath the aperture has reflectivity only from the plurality of dielectric layer pairs.
The aperture is dimensioned smaller than the guided mode of the laser apparatus, such that the aperture defines a region with a different reflectivity than the surrounding portions of the emission face, and so that the emission face overall presents two regions with different reflectivities. The region surrounding the aperture provides a higher reflectivity, due to greater thickness of the upper DBR mirror set and/or the presence of reflective metal layer, and presents a region having generally reduced laser loss and reduced threshold current, but with relatively reduced efficiency. The region of the upper DBR mirror set under the aperture has relatively greater mirror losses and higher laser threshold current due to the smaller number of dielectric layer pairs and/or the absence of a metallic reflective layer.
The inclusion of an aperture in the emission facet allows access to the high E2-field region within the upper DBR mirror set, and increases the power density of the laser apparatus of the invention. The size and depth of the aperture can be varied to provide a selected or target loss. By reducing the number of dielectric layer pairs in the upper DBR mirror, then depositing a highly reflective metal layer on top of the DBR mirror to make up the reflectivity difference, and then etching an aperture through the reflective metal layer to access the high E2-field region immediately inside the reflective metal layer, power densities similar to edge-emitting laser devices can be achieved over the dimension of the emitting aperture.
The aperture structure of the invention is based on several considerations. Polarization considerations are critical to optimizing the E2-field strength at the center of the aperture, and the aperture is preferably configured to optimize or take advantage of polarization effects. In the case of an elongated slot, for example, as slot width decreases, the electric field components which are perpendicular to the edges of the slot can be supported more readily than electric field components which are parallel to the edges. Output power confinement and, to a lesser extent, geometry confinement of the aperture, are dependent on polarization.
Resonance effects associated with the perimeter of the aperture are also important considerations in the aperture configuration. When the physical size or dimensions of the aperture decrease to substantially less than the output wavelength, the aperture structure is decreasingly able to support a standing wave of significant amplitude around its perimeter.
The aperture configuration also must take areal effects into consideration. Generally, as the total aperture area decreases, the total emission throughput will increase. This consideration is most important for apertures of dimensions which are larger than the output wavelength.
The aperture can also be associated with an impedance value which should be considered. The aperture may define a radiative element in association with the laser as a transmission line which has an effective impedance, which should ideally be matched through the impedance of the aperture structure, to the impedance of the region into which the radiator is being coupled.
Yet another consideration in aperture design in accordance with the invention are local field effects. The geometry or structure of the aperture and emission facet should be adjusted to localize and maximize the total field intensity of Ex2+Ey2+Ez2.
With the above considerations in mind, the use of one or more conductive protrusions which extend into the aperture, as noted above, has been found to allow optimization of near field localization and take advantage of polarization effects when used with a semiconductor laser or other light sources. A variety of such aperture configurations in accordance with the invention can be easily etched into a conductive sheet or layer using focussed ion beam (FIB) or other anisotropic etching techniques.
The conductive protrusion or protrusions define generally a plurality of regions in the aperture, which are separated by the protrusion or protrusions of the surrounding conductive sheet or plane which extend into the aperture. In the preferred embodiments wherein a single protrusion is used, the protrusion will define generally first and second regions which are separated by the protrusion. The protrusion also defines generally a waist or connecting section which joins the two regions separated by the protrusion. The regions thus defined are preferably configured such that they are elongated in the direction of the polarization of output light through the aperture. The elongated regions are preferably separated by the protrusion by a distance W wherein W <λ, such that the waists or connecting section and protrusion have generally a width W. The perimeter length or dimension of the aperture is preferably resonant with the wavelength λ of the output light.
The aperture of the invention may alternatively be considered as comprising first and second elongated regions connected by a waist or connecting section. Assuming that polarization is in a transverse direction, with respect to the aperture, the aperture may comprise a first transverse slot of length L1, a second transverse slot of length L2, and a connecting region or waist of width W which communicates with the first and second slots. Preferably, the first and second slots are of equal length, such that L1=L2, with each slot having a width equal to the width W of the connecting region.
In some preferred embodiments of the invention, the connecting section is centrally positioned with respect to the transverse slots, with two conductive protrusions defining the central connecting section. In other preferred embodiments, the connecting region is off center with respect to the slots, as is provided by a single conductive protrusion. In some preferred embodiments the lengths of the slots are greater or substantially greater than the width W of the slots and connecting region (L1=L2>W). In other preferred embodiments, the length of the slots is generally equal to the width of the slots and connecting region (L1=L2=W). The slots may, alternatively, be of different lengths and widths.
In embodiments of the invention which utilize relatively long transverse slots (L1 and L2>W), the connector region between the slots will define a gap between conductive protrusions of surrounding conductive plate which are located between the transverse slots. The gap between the conductive protrusions will operate as a dipole radiator. In such embodiments, the antenna or transmission line characteristics of the laser emission facet and aperture are important, as are the dimensions of the transverse slots, connecting region and conductive protrusions. The aperture can define a short circuited transmission line configuration when a single connector region is located generally proximate the center of the transverse slots. Alternatively, additional connecting regions may be associated with the ends of the transverse slots such that a non-short circuited transmission line configuration is achieved.
In embodiments wherein the conductive protrusion is insular or electrically isolated from the surrounding conductive plane, the aperture in effect partitions the conductive plane into two regions which are electrically isolated from each other. This configuration provides means for creating an electric dipole in the emission plane of the aperture, and creates enhanced localized emission efficiency through the small separating region. The shape of the electrically isolated regions and separating region may be tailored to provide for enhancement of the emission as a result of electromagnetic resonance effects within the electrically isolated regions.
In still another preferred embodiment of the invention, an insular conducting protrusion will result in the aperture comprising two transverse slots each of length L and two connecting sections associated with the ends of the slots which define an annular-shaped aperture is formed. In the emission face of a laser, thus configuration provides a central core or “post” which is electrically isolated from the surrounding region of the emission face to create an electric dipole in the emission plane of the aperture. The created electric dipole provides an efficient radiator of optical energy at a given wavelength such that emission efficiency is enhanced. The annular aperture is analogous in shape to a coaxial waveguide structure. In yet another preferred embodiment, the aperture comprises two transverse slots of equal length L connected by three connector regions to define three electrically isolated regions on the emission face of the laser.
A goal of the invention is to provide a near field optical apparatus having an aperture structure which provides for efficient localization of electric field strength at optical frequencies to a region or regions which are smaller in dimension than the output wavelength associated with the aperture.
A goal of the invention is to provide a near field optical apparatus having an aperture with perimeter dimensions which are resonant with output wavelength.
A goal of the invention is to provide a near field optical apparatus having an aperture wherein a majority of aperture edges are substantially aligned with or parallel to the direction of polarization of the output light.
Another goal of the invention is to provide a near field optical apparatus which can be utilized with surface and edge emitting semiconductor lasers, tapered metallized fibers, SIL optics, and other near field optical systems.
Another goal of the invention is to provide a VCSEL apparatus which is easy and inexpensive to manufacture.
Further advantages of the invention will be brought out in the following portions of the specification, wherein the detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the preferred embodiment of the invention without placing limitations thereon.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe present invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only.
Referring more specifically to the drawings, for illustrative purposes the present invention is embodied in the apparatus and graphical representations shown generally in
The invention will be more fully understood by referring first to
Using conventional Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) calculation techniques, and assuming that conductive sheet 10 is an infinite plane of perfect electrical conductor, the relative output power and E2 field strength can be accurately determined for the aperture 12, as well as numerous other aperture configurations which are described further below.
In
The presence of the maxima M1, M2 as noted above indicate that, in the transition region B, the decrease in output power and near field E2 with decreasing aperture size are significantly affected by the aperture perimeter or periphery dimensions, rather than merely the area of the aperture. Thus, if the overall effective size or area of the aperture could be decreased while maintaining perimeter at a length or dimension which is substantially resonant with the output wavelength, the drop off in output power and near field E2 as shown in regions C of
With the above in mind, reference is now made to
Protrusion 20 defines generally a first region 22 and a second region 24 in aperture 18 which are separated, or at least partially separated, from each other by protrusion 20. Protrusion 20 also defines a waist or connecting section 26 which joins or connects first and second regions 22, 24. Connecting section 26 constitutes an effective localization aperture which is substantially centrally located with respect to aperture 18 overall. In the aperture 18 of
Referring again to
Thus, a simple square aperture is, in general, a very inefficient way to confine radiation to a small sub-wavelength region for near field applications. This is largely due to the aperture boundary approaching an equipotential of the electric field as the aperture size approaches zero. Despite this limitation, the simple square aperture 12, or the circular equivalent, provides a conceptually simple means for field localization, and heretofore, such simple apertures have been widely used in near field techniques even though the localized field provided by the aperture rapidly becomes vanishingly small.
Referring now to
The above specific dimensions for localization aperture 26 and first and second regions 22, 24 merely provide one specific example of the possible dimensions for aperture 18, and should not be considered limiting. Additionally, the localization region need not necessarily be square in shape as shown in
The effective near field localization provided by aperture 18 will be more fully understood by considering the x, y and z components of the normalized E2 field.
The aperture of the invention advantageously is scalable to smaller sizes without resulting in decrease of near field power output, as occurs in the conventional square aperture 12. Referring to
From
In optimizing the structure and configuration of a near field aperture in accordance with the invention, there are several important considerations to be kept in mind. Polarization considerations are essential to optimizing the E2-field strength at the center of the aperture, and the aperture of the invention is preferably configured to optimize or take advantage of polarization effects. In considering polarization effects, reference is made to
For decreasing slit width, the electric field components which are perpendicular to the edges of the slit can be supported more readily than electric field components are parallel to the edges of the slit. This can be seen from
Resonance effects associated with the perimeter length or dimension of the aperture are also important in providing good near field brightness from a small aperture. When the physical size or dimensions of the aperture decrease to substantially less than the output wavelength, the aperture structure is decreasingly able to support a standing wave of significant amplitude around its perimeter, as noted above with regard to
The resonance effect associated with the aperture 18 of
In
From the above, the effectiveness of having an aperture perimeter dimension at resonance with the output wavelength can be seen. The particular aperture dimensions noted above are only exemplary, and the dimensions will vary according to the desired output wavelength and details of the aperture shape, as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.
While resonance is an important consideration, the aperture configuration also must take areal effects into consideration as well. Generally, as the total aperture area decreases, the total emission throughput will increase, and thus overall aperture area should remain as large as possible. Aperture areal effects are most important for apertures of dimensions which are larger than the output wavelength.
The localization and maximizing of near field brightness or intensity is another consideration in aperture design which can be controlled by aperture shape in accordance with the invention. The size and geometry or structure of the aperture and emission facet ideally should be configured to localize and maximize the total field intensity of Ex2+Ey2+Ez2 at near field distances from the aperture. To this effect, the inclusion of one or more protrusions into the aperture, as provided by the invention, has been found to provide control of field localization. The configuration of aperture 18, with a stub or tongue 20 which extends into the aperture to define regions 22, 24, is a particularly effective arrangement for providing near field localization. The optimum dimensions for field localization for the aperture configuration of
Numerous variations on the aperture configuration of
Referring to
Referring also to
The effect of aperture shape on near field localization can also be seen from the aperture structures and corresponding field plots shown in
In the case of aperture 78, the near field apparatus 76 may be associated with an impedance value, which should be considered when shaping the aperture. The aperture may define a radiative element, in association with a light source as a transmission line, which has an effective impedance, which should ideally be matched through the impedance of the aperture structure, to the impedance of the region into which the radiator is being coupled. In the near field optical apparatus 76, transverse slots 82a, 82b extend to and communicate with the edges of the conductive plane 77, such that protrusions 79a, 79b are electrically isolated from the remainder of conductive plane 77. In this regard, the near field apparatus 76 has some of the features of a short-circuited transmission line. The structure of aperture 78 could be modified so that the apparatus 76 provides non-short-circuited transmission line features. This would be provided by providing an additional connector region (not shown) which joins first ends 82a, 83b of first and second transverse slots 80a, 80b, and an additional connector region (also not shown) which joins the second ends 82b, 83b of slots. The additional connector regions would have generally the same dimensions of connector region 81.
Referring to
Referring next to
The near field optical apparatus of the invention may be used with a variety of light sources, and is particularly well suited to use in semiconductor laser devices where the conducting plane surrounding the aperture can comprise a metal layer on the laser emission facet. The invention, as embodied in a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL), is described in detail below. It should be kept in mind, however, that a VCSEL device is merely one preferred embodiment of the invention, and that edge emitting and other solid state lasers, as well as other light sources generally, may be used with the invention.
The invention as embodied in a VCSEL will be more fully understood by first reviewing the structure and properties of conventional vertical cavity surface emitting lasers or VCSEL devices. Referring to
The laser or optical cavity 114 is defined generally by the lower edge 122 of upper DBR mirror 116 and the upper edge 124 of lower DBR mirror. A p-doped Al0.6Ga0.4As layer 126 within optical cavity 114 is positioned between upper DBR mirror 116 and active region 112, and an n-doped Al0.6Ga0.4As layer 128 is positioned within optical cavity 114 between lower DBR mirror 118 and active region. Active region 112 is shown with a plurality of Al0.05Ga0.95As quantum wells 130 and Al0.4Ga0.6As quantum barriers 132, which may range in thickness generally within the range of 2-20 Å. The n-doped and p-doped Al0.6Ga0.4As regions 124, 126 define a diode structure so that lasing within optical cavity 14 can be turned on and off by varying current through the active region with respect to a threshold current in a conventional manner.
An emission facet or face 134 is defined at the upper surface 136 of upper DBR mirror 116. A GaAs cap or coating 138 is typically included on top of emission facet 134. The VCSEL 100 also generally includes a bottom GaAs substrate 140 upon which the other layers structures of VCSEL 100 are deposited or “grown”. An encapsulant material (not shown) is generally included adjacent the sides of VCSEL 100.
The upper DBR mirror 116 generally includes fewer dielectric layer pairs 120 than lower DBR mirror 118, so that optical power can be extracted from emission facet 134. For example, upper DBR mirror 116 may comprise twenty-five dielectric layer pairs 120, while lower DBR mirror 116 comprises thirty-five dielectric layer pairs 120 in a typical laser structure. Stacked dielectric DBR mirrors 116, 118 have very high reflectivity, typically in excess of 99.5%. As a result, the optical power recirculating within laser cavity 114 is generally a factor of 100 to 10,000 greater than the optical power extracted through emission facet 34. Upper DBR mirror presents the dominant loss for VCSEL 110 and represents the path through which output power is extracted.
The distribution of the optical field in VCSEL 100 as a function of depth within the laser structure is illustrated graphically in
The right hand y-axis of
Referring also to Table 1 below, Column 1A, there are shown several standard performance parameters calculated for VCSEL 100, having twenty-five λ/4 layer pairs in upper DBR mirror 116, thirty-five λ/4 layer pairs in lower DBR mirror 118, and emitting at 821.868 nm, as would be used, for example, for data communication applications. The E2 field parameters provided in Table 1 are normalized relative to the bottom DBR mirror 118. Note again that upper DBR mirror 116 presents the dominant loss for VCSEL 100. In a well designed VCSEL device, this loss will represent the predominant loss mechanism in the laser cavity.
If the VCSEL 100 is structured and configured such that upper DBR mirror 116 had greater reflectivity than in the above example, the total losses in the VCSEL, and the threshold current for the VCSEL, would be reduced. Such a VCSEL, however, would have reduced efficiency at moderate output levels, as the upper mirror loss will be less predominant with respect to other cavity losses. Referring to Column 1B of Table 1, there are shown calculated laser performance parameters for VCSEL 10 wherein upper DBR mirror 116 comprises thirty-five λ/4 pairs to provide increased upper mirror reflectivity.
If VCSEL100 is structured and configured such that upper DBR mirror 116 had reduced reflectivity, by having fewer λ/4 pairs, the upper mirror losses would be increased, and the laser threshold current would be increased. Referring to Table 2 above, Column 2A, there are shown laser performance parameters calculated for VCSEL 10 wherein upper DBR mirror 116 comprises fifteen λ/4 pairs. The E2 Field values in Table 2 are normalized with respect to the bottom DBR mirror 118. Column 2B of Table 2 further shows calculated performance parameters for VCSEL 100 wherein upper DBR mirror 116 includes only eleven λ/4 pairs. In these cases, the laser threshold current is increased to the extent that laser operation may not occur before the advent of excess heating and quantum well gain saturation occur which will prevent lasing.
With the above properties for high and low reflectivity upper DBR mirrors 116, 118 in mind, it can be seen that a VCSEL having an upper mirror region of lower reflectivity dimensioned smaller than the guide mode of the laser structure, surrounded by an upper mirror region of higher reflectivity, to provide performance parameters corresponding to both high and low upper mirror reflectivity models. This can be achieved by etching or otherwise creating an aperture in the emission face of the VCSEL which extends into the upper DBR mirror and having dimensions smaller than the dimension of the laser guide mode of the VCSEL structure. The emission facet would then present two regions of differing reflectivities. The region surrounding the aperture would have a high reflectivity and properties similar to those illustrated in Column 1B in Table 1. The region under the aperture, having a smaller number of λ/4 pairs, would have a lower reflectivity and properties like those illustrated in Columns 2A and 2B of Table 2.
A reasonable approximation of the net upper mirror reflectivity can be provided by a weighted average integral of reflectivity as a function of position on the emission facet, according to the area of the aperture relative to the size of the optical mode. For an aperture of a particular or given area, the depth of the aperture could be selected and adjusted such that a particular target loss can be achieved. This can be seen by comparing the parameters of Columns 2A and 2B of Table 2 for the VCSEL structures having upper mirror thicknesses of fifteen and eleven λ/4 pairs respectively. In particular, if the desired or target value of loss is the same value as the mirror loss for the conventional VCSEL structure 100 with twenty-five upper mirror λ/4 pairs as shown in Column 1A of Table 1, the same power would be extracted from an apertured upper mirror as would be from the conventional non-apertured upper mirror. In other words, the output power extracted through a VCSEL having an apertured emission facet can be achieved which is equal to the output power extracted from the conventional VCSEL 10 having a flat or planar emission facet.
Referring now to
VCSEL 146 comprises an active region 148 centered within a laser cavity 150. An upper, p-doped distributed Bragg reflector or DBR mirror 152 is positioned adjacent the top of cavity 150, and a lower n-doped DBR mirror 154 is positioned adjacent the bottom of cavity 150. Laser cavity 150 is thus defined generally by a lower edge 156 of upper DBR mirror 152 and an upper edge 158 of lower DBR mirror 154, and is shown as a one-wavelength λ cavity. Upper and lower DBR mirrors 152,154 each comprise a plurality of dielectric layer pairs 160 which, in this example, are preferably quarter wave or a λ/4 Al0.16Ga0.84As/Al0.96Ga0.04As layer pairs.
VCSEL 146 preferably comprises a p-doped Al0.6Ga0.4As layer 162, which is positioned within optical cavity 150 between upper DBR mirror 152 and active region 48, and an n-doped Al0.6Ga0.4As layer 164 which is positioned within optical cavity 150 between lower DBR mirror 154 and active region 148. Active region 148 preferably comprises a single or plurality of quantum well, quantum wire, quantum do, and/or other quantum nanostructures. Active region 148 is shown with a plurality of Al0.05Ga0.95. As quantum wells 166 and Al0.4Ga0.6As quantum barriers 168, which may range in thickness generally within the range of 2-20 Å.
VCSEL 146 also comprises an emission facet or face 170, which is defined at the upper surface 172 of upper DBR mirror 116. A GaAs cap 174 is included on top of emission facet 170. A bottom GaAs substrate 176 is present adjacent lower DBR mirror 154. An encapsulant material may be included adjacent the sides of VCSEL 146.
An opening or aperture 178 is included in emission facet 170 of VCSEL 146, with aperture 178 extending through GaAs cap 174 and into upper DBR mirror 152. As a result, there are a smaller number of λ/4 layer pairs 160 positioned between the bottom 180 of aperture 178 and lower edge 156 of upper DBR mirror 152, than are positioned between emission facet 170 and lower edge 156 of upper DBR mirror 152. The dimensions of aperture 178 are generally smaller or less than that of the guide mode 182 of VCSEL 146.
The area of emission facet 170 associated with aperture 178 thus provides a region of lower reflectivity, while the region surrounding portions of emission facet 170 present a region of higher reflectivity, as discussed above. When upper DBR mirror comprises thirty-five λ/4 layer pairs 160, the region surrounding aperture 178 will exhibit generally the parameters of Column 1 of Table 1. In
When aperture 178 is etched into upper DBR mirror 152 to a depth such that fifteen λ/4 layer pairs 160 are present between the bottom 180 of aperture and lower edge 156 of mirror 152, the region defined by aperture 178 will exhibit generally the properties shown in Column 2A of Table 2. When aperture 178 is etched into upper DBR mirror 152 to a depth such that eleven λ/4 layer pairs 160 are present between the bottom 180 of aperture and lower edge 156 of mirror 152, the region defined by aperture 178 will exhibit generally the properties shown in Column 2B of Table 2. As noted above, the depth of aperture 178 can be selected and adjusted such that a particular target loss is achieved for VCSEL 146. By selecting or targeting the loss to equal that of the mirror loss of conventional VCSEL 110, a power output can be extracted from facet 170 of VCSEL 146 which is similar to the power output extracted from the facet 134 of VCSEL 100.
Aperture 178 will generally extend one to two microns in depth into upper DBR mirror 152, and thus introduces some undesirable scattering losses. One way to reduce such scattering losses is to replace a portion of the λ/4 layer pairs 160 in the region surrounding aperture 178 with a highly reflective metal layer. The metal layer makes up for or replaces the reflectivity of the λ/4 layers which have been replaced. In this case, the aperture extends through the homogeneous reflective metal layer and down to the DBR mirror 152. Since the reflective metal layer is also conductive, it provides a conductive plane such that the aperture may be structured and configured with one or more protrusions of the conductive plane extending into the aperture, as described above.
Referring now to
The reflective metal layer 198 is preferably about 40 nm in thickness, and is positioned above GaAs cap or layer 174. GaAs layer 174 has a thickness of λ/2. Preferably, a semiconductor layer 200 of Al0.16GaAs of about 16 nm or 94 nm thickness is deposited on top of GaAs layer 174, and insulator spacer layer 202 of TiO2 of about 181 nm thickness is deposited on Al0.16GaAs layer 200, such that Al0.16GaAs layer 200 and TiO2 layer 202 are positioned between GaAs layer 174 and reflective silver Ag layer 198. A layer or coating 204 of SiO2 of about 17 nm thickness is preferably deposited on top of silver layer 198 to act as a passivation layer and prevent oxidation or other reaction with silver layer 198. The particular thicknesses noted above for reflective Ag layer 198, Al0.16GaAs layer 200, TiO2 layer 202, and SiO2 layer 204, are the preferred thicknesses for operation of the invention at an output wavelength λ=approximately 821.8 nm. A thickness of 94 nm is preferably used for Al0.16GaAs layer 200 when fifteen λ/4 pairs are used with upper DBR mirror 152, and a thickness of 16 nm is preferably used for Al0.16GaAs layer 200 when eleven λ/4 pairs are used with upper DBR mirror 152.
The TiO2 layer 202 and Al0.16GaAs layer 200 provide means for optimizing adhesion of the reflective and conductive Ag layer 198 to GaAs contact layer 174, and means for reducing reactivity between the reflective and conductive Ag layer and contact layer 174. The use of Ag for reflective layer 198 is presently preferred due to the high reflectivity of Ag. The TiO2 layer 202 and Al0.16GaAs layer 200 employed with the invention aid in the adhesion of the Ag layer 198 in the layered structure of VCSEL 196. The TiO2 layer 202 and SiO2 layer 204 isolate and passivate the Ag metal layer and avoid oxidation, corrosion or other reaction which would otherwise reduce the reflectivity of Ag layer 198.
An aperture 206 is etched through SiO2 layer 204 and Ag layer 198 in order to provide for extraction of optical power. Aperture 206 may comprise a simple square or round aperture, but more preferably comprises an aperture wherein a portion of the reflective, conductive metal layer 198 extends or protrudes into the aperture in the manner described above. For reason of clarity, only a simple aperture is shown in
In the region surrounding aperture 206, VCSEL 196 has an upper mirror reflectivity equal to the combined reflectivity of metal layer 202 and the λ/4 layer pairs 160 of upper DBR mirror 152, while the area under aperture 206 has a reflectivity provided only by the λ/4 layer pairs 160 of upper DBR mirror 152. Thus, emission facet 206 present a region of reduced reflectivity which is surrounded by a region of higher reflectivity. As described above, the depth of aperture 206 can be tailored to provide a selected or target loss.
In Table 3 below, Column 3A and Column 3B there are respectively shown parameters for the structure surrounding aperture 206, for an upper DBR mirror 152 having fifteen λ/4 layer pairs 160 and eleven λ/4 layer pairs 160.
Table 2, Columns 2A and 2B respectively provide the parameters for the structure under aperture 206 for eleven and fifteen λ/4 layer pairs 160, and
In order to further enhance the efficiency of extraction of optical power from the small aperture VCSEL apparatus provided by the invention, the configuration of the aperture can be modified such that emission efficiency is enhanced. As described above, one presently preferred aperture configuration in accordance with the invention includes one or more protrusions in the surrounding conductive layer which extend into the aperture. A variety of aperture configurations in accordance with the present invention may be etched into the emission facet of a VCSEL device using conventional FIB or e-beam lithographic techniques.
Referring now to
As described above, the use of an aperture 236 surrounded by a conductive metal plane 198, with a protrusion 238 of the conductive metal plane into the aperture, provides good near field localization, together with a higher level of near field brightness than has previously been available in VCSEL devices. Preferably, the perimeter length of aperture 236 is tailored to be substantially at resonance with the output wavelength of laser 234 as noted above. Resonance effects here should take into consideration the particular semiconductor, oxide and metal materials of the VCSEL, which will generally modify the effective wavelength to satisfy the resonance condition. VCSEL devices offer a relatively high degree of intrinsic polarization, and aperture 236 is positioned to maximize the number of aperture edges which are substantially perpendicular to the polarization direction of the output of laser 236.
The aperture 236 may be structured and configured in the manner of the apertures shown in
The use of an annular aperture as described above is only exemplary. More generally, the conductive plane of the emission face may be partitioned into at least two regions which are electrically isolated from each other, and with at least one region in which the separation between the electrically isolated regions is much smaller than the emission wavelength, and which thereby provides for enhanced localized emission efficiency through the region of small separation. The shape of such isolated regions may be tailored to provide for further enhancement of the emission as a result of electromagnetic resonance effects within the isolated regions.
Accordingly, it will be seen that this invention provides a near field optical apparatus which provides high output power with effective near field localization. Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing an illustration of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention. Thus the scope of this invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
Claims
1. A near field optical apparatus comprising:
- a light source; and
- a conductive layer defining a subwavelength aperture, the aperture having a perimeter, the conductive layer having at least one protrusion extending into the aperture at the perimeter, wherein the protrusion into the aperture is of sufficient size to produce a transmission mode with high throughout.
2. The near field optical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the aperture has a perimeter dimension which is substantially resonant with an output wavelength of light passing through the aperture.
3. A near field optical apparatus comprising:
- a light source; and
- a conductive plane proximate to the light source, the conductive plane having a subwavelength aperture positioned such that light from the light source passes through the aperture, the conductive plane including at least one protrusion which extends into the aperture, wherein the protrusion into the aperture is of sufficient size to produce a transmission mode with high throughput.
4. The near field optical apparatus of claim 3, wherein the aperture has a perimeter dimension which is substantially resonant with an output wavelength of the light source.
5. A semiconductor laser apparatus comprising a light source and an emission facet having a conductive surface, the conductive surface having a subwavelength aperture therein, the conductive surface including at least one protrusion extending into the aperture, wherein the protrusion into the aperture is of sufficient size to produce a transmission mode with high throughput.
6. The near field optical apparatus of claim 5, wherein the aperture has a perimeter dimension which is substantially resonant with an output wavelength of the light source.
7. A near field optical apparatus comprising a light source and a conductive plane having a subwavelength aperture therein, the aperture including a plurality of spaced apart slots, and at least one connector region joined to each adjacent the spaced apart slot, wherein the slots of the aperture are of sufficient size to produce a transmission mode with high throughput.
8. The near field optical apparatus of claim 7, wherein the aperture has a perimeter dimension which is substantially resonant with an output wavelength of the light source.
9. A semiconductor laser apparatus, comprising:
- a laser active region;
- a first reflective region adjacent a first side of the active region;
- a second reflective region adjacent a second side of the active region;
- an emission face proximate to the first reflective region, the emission face including a reflective, conductive layer thereon; and
- the emission face including a subwavelength aperture extending through the reflective conductive layer and into at least a portion of the first reflective region, the reflective conductive layer including at least one protrusion which extends into the aperture, wherein the protrusion into the aperture is of sufficient size to produce a transmission mode with high throughput.
10. The near field optical apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first slot includes a first end, the second slot includes a first end, and the connector region is positioned adjacent the first ends of the first and second slots.
11. A semiconductor laser comprising:
- a laser active region;
- an first conductivity type upper reflective region adjacent an upper side of the active region;
- a second conductivity type lower reflective region adjacent a lower side of side active region; and
- an emission facet adjacent the upper reflective region, and emission facet having a subwavelength aperture therein, the aperture smaller than a guide mode of the semiconductor laser, the upper reflective region having at least one protrusion extending into the aperture, wherein the protrusion is of sufficient size to produce a transmission mode with high throughput.
12. The near field optical apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first slot includes a first end, the second slot includes a first end, and the connector region is positioned adjacent the first ends of the first and second slots.
13. An apparatus comprising:
- a conductive layer positioning in association with a light source wherein radiation of the light source passes through an aperture having a perimeter; the conductive layer having at least one protrusion extending into the aperture to produce a transmission mode with high throughout.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the aperture has a perimeter dimension which is substantially resonant with an output wavelength of light passing through the aperture.
15. An apparatus, comprising:
- a conductive plane proximate to a light source, the conductive plane having a subwavelength aperture positioned such that light from the light source passes through the aperture, the conductive plane including at least one protrusion which extends into the aperture, the protrusion being of sufficient size to produce a transmission mode with high throughput.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the aperture has a perimeter dimension which is substantially resonant with an output wavelength of light passing through the aperture.
17. An apparatus comprising a light source and an emission facet having a conductive surface, the conductive surface having a subwavelength aperture, the conductive surface including at least one protrusion extending into the aperture, the protrusion being of sufficient size to produce a transmission mode with high throughput.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the aperture has a perimeter dimension which is substantially resonant with an output wavelength of the light source.
19. An apparatus comprising a light source and a conductive plane having a subwavelength aperture, the aperture including a plurality of spaced apart slots, and at least one connector region joined to each adjacent the spaced apart slot, wherein the slots of the aperture are of sufficient size to produce a transmission mode with high throughput.
20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the aperture has a perimeter dimension which is substantially resonant with an output wavelength of the light source.
21. An apparatus, comprising:
- a first reflective region adjacent a first side of an active region;
- a second reflective region adjacent a second side of the active region;
- an emission face proximate to the first reflective region, the emission face including a reflective, conductive layer, the emission face including a subwavelength aperture extending through the reflective conductive layer and into at least a portion of the first reflective region, the reflective conductive layer including at least one protrusion which extends into the aperture, wherein the protrusion is of sufficient size to produce a transmission mode with high throughput.
22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the aperture has a perimeter dimension which is substantially resonant with an output wavelength of the light source.
23. A semiconductor laser comprising:
- a laser active region;
- a first conductivity type upper reflective region adjacent an upper side of the active region;
- a second conductivity type lower reflective region adjacent a lower side of active region; and
- an emission facet adjacent the upper reflective region, the emission facet having a subwavelength aperture smaller than a guide mode, the upper reflective region having at least one protrusion extending into the aperture, wherein the protrusion is of sufficient size to produce a transmission mode with high throughput.
24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the aperture has a perimeter dimension which is substantially resonant with an output wavelength of the light source.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 25, 2004
Publication Date: Feb 10, 2005
Applicant: Research Investment Network, Inc. (Irvine, CA)
Inventors: Robert Thornton (Los Altos, CA), Xiaolei Shi (Niskayuna, NY), Lambertus Hesselink (Atherton, CA)
Application Number: 10/877,220