Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an approach for monitoring the output power of a VCSEL or VCSEL array in a relatively compact, low profile package. A VCSEL device or VCSEL package of the present disclosure may generally be configured with a photodiode for monitoring output power of one or more VCSELs. In some embodiments, one or more VCSEL devices may be arranged over or on a photodetector, such that the photodetector is configured to detect light emitted through a bottom of the VCSEL. In such embodiments, the VCSEL device may have a patterned bottom metal layer and/or an etched substrate to allow light to pass below or behind the VCSEL to the photodiode. In other embodiments, a photodetector may be arranged on a submount adjacent one or more VCSELs, and may be configured to detect light reflected via a diffuser in order to monitor output power.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an approach for monitoring the output power of a VCSEL or VCSEL array in a relatively compact, low profile package. A VCSEL device or VCSEL package of the present disclosure may generally be configured with a photodiode for monitoring output power of one or more VCSELs. In some embodiments, one or more VCSEL devices may be arranged over or on a photodetector, such that the photodetector is configured to detect light emitted through a bottom of the VCSEL. In such embodiments, the VCSEL device may have a patterned bottom metal layer and/or an etched substrate to allow light to pass below or behind the VCSEL to the photodiode. In other embodiments, a photodetector may be arranged on a submount adjacent one or more VCSELs, and may be configured to detect light reflected via a diffuser in order to monitor output power.

Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein include a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) device that includes an anode, a cathode, and one or more curved apertures located in an epitaxial layer between the anode and the cathode, each of the one or more curved apertures having an aperture edge and one or more oxidation bridges crossing the curved aperture that allow current to flow inside the curved aperture, in which when a current signal is applied to the VCSEL, current flow between the anode and the cathode is distributed along the aperture edge of the one or more curved apertures.

Abstract: A segmented VCSEL array having a plurality of individually addressable segments, each segment comprising one or more VCSELs. In some cases, at least two of the plurality of individually addressable segments may be driven in combination. The plurality of individually addressable segments, in some embodiments, may be centered around the same central point. An optical element may be used in conjunction with the segmented VCSEL array, and in some cases may be aligned to the central point. The optical element may be configured such that light passing therethrough may be directed according to which of the plurality of individually addressable segments is activated. In some embodiments, the optical element is a grating or diffractive optical element. The grating or diffractive optical element could be patterned with optical segments that each correspond to at least one the plurality of individually addressable segments.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an approach for monitoring the output power of a VCSEL or VCSEL array in a relatively compact, low profile package. A VCSEL device or VCSEL package of the present disclosure may generally be configured with a photodiode for monitoring output power of one or more VCSELs. In some embodiments, one or more VCSEL devices may be arranged over or on a photodetector, such that the photodetector is configured to detect light emitted through a bottom of the VCSEL. In such embodiments, the VCSEL device may have a patterned bottom metal layer and/or an etched substrate to allow light to pass below or behind the VCSEL to the photodiode. In other embodiments, a photodetector may be arranged on a submount adjacent one or more VCSELs, and may be configured to detect light reflected via a diffuser in order to monitor output power.

Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein include a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) device that includes an anode, a cathode, and one or more curved apertures located in an epitaxial layer between the anode and the cathode, each of the one or more curved apertures having an aperture edge and one or more oxidation bridges crossing the curved aperture that allow current to flow inside the curved aperture, in which when a current signal is applied to the VCSEL, current flow between the anode and the cathode is distributed along the aperture edge of the one or more curved apertures.

Abstract: An optical package having a patterned submount, an optoelectronic device mounted to the patterned submount, a spacer affixed on one side to the patterned submount, the spacer having a bore hole therethrough wherein the optoelectronic device is positioned, and an optical element affixed to the spacer on a side opposite the patterned submount and covering the spacer bore hole. The patterned submount may be a circuit board. The optoelectronic device may be a VCSEL. The spacer may be affixed to the circuit board, for example, using an epoxy preform or an adhesive laminate. The spacer may, for example, be manufactured from a sheet of stainless steel or from a circuit board. The optical element may be, for example, a diffuser, a concave lens, a convex lens, a holographic element, polarizers, or diffraction gratings. The optical element may be affixed to the spacer using an epoxy preform or an adhesive laminate.

Abstract: A system and method for generating, enhancing, and detecting the amplitude and phase modulation of a laser under a condition of self-mixing is provided. The system may comprise a laser and a detector to extract the characteristic self-mix signal, which is then interpreted using algorithms implemented in hardware or software. In the case of the laser being a Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting laser (VCSEL), the output signal can be detected by monitoring the surface light emission by means of a beam splitter, or in some embodiments as emission from the bottom surface of the laser. In some embodiments, the system may further comprise a wavelength filter such as an etalon in the signal path.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods useful for providing a low profile metalens array that provides a relatively uniform far-field illumination in the visible and/or near-infrared electromagnetic spectrum using a plurality of vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) disposed a distance from a plurality of metalenses forming a metalens array, in which the VCSELs are decorrelated from the metalenses forming the metalens array.

Abstract: A system and method for generating, enhancing, and detecting the amplitude and phase modulation of a laser under a condition of self-mixing is provided. The system may comprise a laser and a detector to extract the characteristic self-mix signal, which is then interpreted using algorithms implemented in hardware or software. In the case of the laser being a Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting laser (VCSEL), the output signal can be detected by monitoring the surface light emission by means of a beam splitter, or in some embodiments as emission from the bottom surface of the laser. In some embodiments, the system may further comprise a wavelength filter such as an etalon in the signal path.

Abstract: A segmented VCSEL array having a plurality of individually addressable segments, each segment comprising one or more VCSELs. In some cases, at least two of the plurality of individually addressable segments may be driven in combination. The plurality of individually addressable segments, in some embodiments, may be centered around the same central point. An optical element may be used in conjunction with the segmented VCSEL array, and in some cases may be aligned to the central point. The optical element may be configured such that light passing therethrough may be directed according to which of the plurality of individually addressable segments is activated. In some embodiments, the optical element is a grating or diffractive optical element. The grating or diffractive optical element could be patterned with optical segments that each correspond to at least one the plurality of individually addressable segments.

Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein include an illumination module for 3D sensing applications. The illumination module may include an array of vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) emitting light, a driver configured to provide current to the array of VCSELs, and an optical element configured to receive the light emitted by the array of VCSELs and output a light pattern from the illumination module.

Abstract: A segmented VCSEL array having a plurality of individually addressable segments, each segment comprising one or more VCSELs. In some cases, at least two of the plurality of individually addressable segments may be driven in combination. The plurality of individually addressable segments, in some embodiments, may be centered around the same central point. An optical element may be used in conjunction with the segmented VCSEL array, and in some cases may be aligned to the central point. The optical element may be configured such that light passing therethrough may be directed according to which of the plurality of individually addressable segments is activated. In some embodiments, the optical element is a grating or diffractive optical element. The grating or diffractive optical element could be patterned with optical segments that each correspond to at least one the plurality of individually addressable segments.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an approach for monitoring the output power of a VCSEL or VCSEL array in a relatively compact, low profile package. A VCSEL device or VCSEL package of the present disclosure may generally be configured with a photodiode for monitoring output power of one or more VCSELs. In some embodiments, one or more VCSEL devices may be arranged over or on a photodetector, such that the photodetector is configured to detect light emitted through a bottom of the VCSEL. In such embodiments, the VCSEL device may have a patterned bottom metal layer and/or an etched substrate to allow light to pass below or behind the VCSEL to the photodiode. In other embodiments, a photodetector may be arranged on a submount adjacent one or more VCSELs, and may be configured to detect light reflected via a diffuser in order to monitor output power.

Abstract: Vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) and VCSEL arrays having small size and small pitch are provided. Particularly, the present disclosure relates to novel and advantageous chip layouts for ensuring low resistance devices with good yield for small pitch arrays. More particularly, the present disclosure describes approaches for reducing the area consumed by a VCSEL structure so that a higher density VCSEL device may be achieved.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a packaging approach for ensuring that high power optical modules incorporating VCSELs and VCSEL arrays remain eye safe. A VCSEL device or VCSEL package of the present disclosure may generally be configured certifying an optical device as eye safe such that the device is able to survive a single failure mode. In other embodiments, a multiple lens array is arranged above the VCSEL, which scatters the light into a wide range of angles such that a higher percentage of light will reach the photodetector located beside the VCSEL. In other embodiments according to the present disclosure, one or more methods and circuits are provided to detect and correct errors or failures caused by one or more unsafe conditions.

Abstract: A VCSEL array having a plurality of VCSELs, each having more than two modes, and the optical emission from each of the VCSELs overlaps in a far field of the VCSELs. A VCSEL array having a plurality of VCSELs, each having an aperture size of at least about 6 ?m, and the optical emission from each of the VCSELs overlaps in a far field of the VCSELs. A VCSEL array having a plurality of VCSELs, wherein the spectral width of each VCSEL is at least about 0.5 nm, and the optical emission from each of the VCSELs overlaps in a far field of the VCSELs.

Abstract: VCSELs and methods having improved characteristics. In some embodiments, these include a semiconductor substrate; a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) on the substrate; a first electrical contact formed on the VCSEL; a second electrical contact formed on the substrate, wherein the VCSEL includes: a first resonating cavity having first and second mirrors, at least one of which partially transmits light incident on that mirror, wherein the first second mirrors are electrically conductive. A first layer is between the first mirror and the second mirror and has a first aperture that restricts the path of current flow. A second layer is between the first layer and the second mirror and also restricts the electrical current path. A multiple-quantum-well (MQW) structure is between the first mirror and the second mirror, wherein the first and second apertures act together to define a path geometry of the current through the MQW structure.

Abstract: An optical package having a patterned submount, an optoelectronic device mounted to the patterned submount, a spacer affixed on one side to the patterned submount, the spacer having a bore hole therethrough wherein the optoelectronic device is positioned, and an optical element affixed to the spacer on a side opposite the patterned submount and covering the spacer bore hole. The patterned submount may be a circuit board. The optoelectronic device may be a VCSEL. The spacer may be affixed to the circuit board, for example, using an epoxy preform or an adhesive laminate. The spacer may, for example, be manufactured from a sheet of stainless steel or from a circuit board. The optical element may be, for example, a diffuser, a concave lens, a convex lens, a holographic element, polarizers, or diffraction gratings. The optical element may be affixed to the spacer using an epoxy preform or an adhesive laminate.

Abstract: VCSELs and methods having improved characteristics. In some embodiments, these include a semiconductor substrate; a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) on the substrate; a first electrical contact formed on the VCSEL; a second electrical contact formed on the substrate, wherein the VCSEL includes: a first resonating cavity having first and second mirrors, at least one of which partially transmits light incident on that mirror, wherein the first second mirrors are electrically conductive. A first layer is between the first mirror and the second mirror and has a first aperture that restricts the path of current flow. A second layer is between the first layer and the second mirror and also restricts the electrical current path. A multiple-quantum-well (MQW) structure is between the first mirror and the second mirror, wherein the first and second apertures act together to define a path geometry of the current through the MQW structure.