Design, simulation and analysis of laterally-longitudinally non-uniform edge-emitting GaAs-based diode lasers (Band 73) PDF Download

Author: Jan-Philipp Koester
Publisher: Cuvillier Verlag
ISBN: 3736968825
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 171

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Book Description
Edge-emitting quantum-well diode lasers based on GaAs combine a high conversion efficiency, a wide range of emission wavelengths covering a span from 630 nm to 1180 nm, and the ability to achieve high output powers. The often used longitudinal-invariant Fabry-Pérot-type resonators are easy to design but often lead to functionality or performance limitations. In this work, the application of laterally-longitudinally non-uniform resonator configurations is explored as a way to reduce unwanted and performance-limiting effects. The investigations are carried out on existing and entirely newly developed laser designs using dedicated simulation tools. These include a sophisticated time-dependent laser simulator based on a traveling-wave model of the optical fields in the lateral-longitudinal plane and a Maxwell solver based on the eigenmode expansion method for the simulation of passive waveguides. Whenever possible, the simulation results are compared with experimental data. Based on this approach, three fundamentally different laser types are investigated: • Dual-wavelength lasers emitting two slightly detuned wavelengths around 784 nm out of a single aperture • Ridge-waveguide lasers with tapered waveguide and contact layouts that emit light of a wavelength of around 970 nm • Broad-area lasers with slightly tapered contact layouts emitting at 910 nm The results of this thesis underline the potential of lateral-longitudinal non-uniform laser designs to increase selected aspects of device performance, including beam quality, spectral stability, and output power.

Author: Pietro della Casa
Publisher: Cuvillier Verlag
ISBN: 3736963971
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 250

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This work is about two-step epitaxial growth using metalorganic vapor-phase epitaxy (MOVPE) for the realization of edge-emitting near-infrared laser diodes. The fabricated gallium arsenide-based devices fall into two categories: high-power lasers (watt range, multimodal) and tunable lasers (milliwatt range, monomodal). Common to both cases is that surface contamination – particularly that due to oxygen – needs to be removed before regrowth. Thus, in-situ etching with carbon tetrabromide (CBr4) is first studied. The experimental results include kinetic data, the effects of different etching conditions as well as substrate characteristics, and the effectiveness in reducing surface contamination. These investigations pave the way to devices based on 2-step epitaxy combined with in-situ etching. Correspondingly, thermally-tuned SG-DBR lasers operating around 975 nm have been successfully realized, obtaining a tuning range of 21 nm. In addition, the possibility of using electronic tuning in similar devices has been explored. High-power broad-area lasers have also been realized, using two-step epitaxy combined with ex-situ and in-situ etching, to create a buried, shallow “mesa” containing the active zone. This approach allows introducing lateral electrical and optical confinement, and – simultaneously – non-absorbing mirrors at the laser facets. Additionally, a different strategy to create a buried current aperture is presented, which is based on ion implantation followed by epitaxial regrowth. This enables to improve device performance and simultaneously introduce non-absorbing mirrors at the facets with correspondingly increased reliability.

Author: R. Doerner
Publisher: Cuvillier Verlag
ISBN: 3736913281
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : de
Pages : 131

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This third volume of the Forschungsberichte presents a collection of nine technical papers on selected topics of microwave engineering, ranging from investigations of the plasma in a Tokamak to the modeling of Heterojunction Bipolar Transistors. The main focus, however, is on noise in transistors and circuits, and how to measure it. Eight of the contributions are original papers, and one is a reprint from Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion, it appears by courtesy of the Institute of Physics Publishing.

Author: Anissa Zeghuzi
Publisher: Cuvillier Verlag
ISBN: 3736962894
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 178

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Book Description
Broad-area lasers are edge-emitting semiconductor lasers with a wide lateral emission aperture. This feature enables high output powers but also diminishes the lateral beam quality and results in their inherently non-stationary behavior. Research in the area is driven by application, and the main objective is to increase the brightness, which includes both output power and lateral beam quality. To understand the underlying spatio-temporal phenomena and to apply this knowledge in order to reduce costs for brightness optimization, a self-consistent simulation tool taking all essential processes into account is vital. Firstly, in this work a quasi-three-dimensional opto-electronic and thermal model is presented that describes essential qualitative characteristics of real devices well. Time-dependent traveling-wave equations are utilized to characterize the inherently non-stationary optical fields, which are coupled to dynamic rate equations for the excess carriers in the active region. This model is extended by an injection-current-density model to accurately include lateral current spreading and spatial hole burning. Furthermore, a temperature model is presented that includes short-time local heating near the active region as well as the formation of a stationary temperature profile. Secondly, the reasons of brightness degradation, i.e. the origins of power saturation and the spatially modulated field profile, are investigated. And lastly, designs that mitigate those effects limiting the lateral brightness under pulsed and continuous-wave operation are discussed. Amongst those designs a novel “chessboard laser” is presented that utilizes longitudinal-lateral gain-loss modulation and an additional phase tailoring to obtain a very low far-field divergence.

Author: Heike Christopher
Publisher: Cuvillier Verlag
ISBN: 3736963998
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 206

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Optical frequency combs (OFC) have revolutionized various applications in applied and fundamental sciences that rely on the determination of absolute optical frequencies and frequency differences. The latter requires only stabilization of the spectral distance between the individual comb lines of the OFC, allowing to tailor and reduce system complexity of the OFC generator (OFCG). One such application is the quantum test of the universality of free fall within the QUANTUS experimental series. Within the test, the rate of free fall of two atomic species, Rb and K, in micro-gravity will be compared. The aim of this thesis was the development of a highly compact, robust, and space-suitable diode laser-based OFCG with a mode-locked optical spectrum in the wavelength range around 780 nm. A diode laser-based OFCG was developed, which exceeds the requirements with a spectral bandwidth > 16 nm at 20 dBc, a comb line optical power > 650 nW (at 20 dBc), a pulse repetition rate of 3.4 GHz, and an RF linewidth of the free-running pulse repetition rate < 10 kHz. To realize a proof-of-concept demonstrator module, the diode laser-based OFCG was hybrid-integrated into a space-suitable technology platform that has been developed for future QUANTUS experiments. Proof of sufficient RF stability of the OFCG was provided by stabilizing the pulse repetition rate to an external RF reference. This resulted in a stabilized pulse repetition rate with an RF linewidth smaller than 1.4 Hz (resolution limited), thus exceeding the requirement. The developed diode laser-based OFCG represents an important step towards an improved comparison of the rate of free fall of Rb and K quantum gases within the QUANTUS experiments in micro-gravity.

Author: Thorben Kaul
Publisher: Cuvillier Verlag
ISBN: 3736963963
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 136

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This work presents progress in the root-cause analysis of power saturation mechanisms in continuous wave (CW) driven GaAs-based high-power broad area diode lasers operated at 935 nm. Target is to increase efficiency at high optical CW powers by epitaxial design. The novel extreme triple asymmetric (ETAS) design was developed and patented within this work to equip diode lasers that use an extremely thin p-waveguide with a high modal gain. An iterative variation of diode lasers employing ETAS designs was used to experimentally clarify the impact of modal gain on the temperature dependence of internal differential quantum efficiency (IDQE) and optical loss. High modal gain leads to increased free carrier absorption from the active region. However, less power saturation is observed, which must then be attributed to an improved temperature sensitivity of the IDQE. The effect of longitudinal spatial hole burning (LSHB) leads to above average non-linear carrier loss at the back facet of the device. At high CW currents the junction temperature rises. Therefore, not only the asymmetry of the carrier profile increases but also the average carrier density in order to compensate for the decreased material gain and increased threshold gain. This carrier non-pinning effect above threshold is found in this work to enhance the impact of LSHB already at low currents, leading to rapid degradation of IDQE with temperature. This finding puts LSHB into a new context for CW-driven devices as it emphasizes the importance of low carrier densities at threshold. The carrier density was effectively reduced by applying the novel ETAS design. This enabled diode lasers to be realized that show minimized degradation of IDQE with temperature and therefore improved performance in CW operation.

Author: Tasmim Alam
Publisher: Cuvillier Verlag
ISBN: 3736962975
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 132

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Book Description
Quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) are attractive for high-resolution spectroscopy because they can provide high power and a narrow linewidth. They are particularly promising in the terahertz (THz) range since they can be used as local oscillators for heterodyne detection as well as transmitters for direct detection. However, THz QCL-based technologies are still under development and are limited by the lack of frequency tunability as well as the frequency and output power stability for free-running operation. In this dissertation, frequency tuning and linewidth of THz QCLs are studied in detail by using rotational spectroscopic features of molecular species. In molecular spectroscopy, the Doppler eff ect broadens the spectral lines of molecules in the gas phase at thermal equilibrium. Saturated absorption spectroscopy has been performed that allows for sub-Doppler resolution of the spectral features. One possible application is QCL frequency stabilization based on the Lamb dip. Since the tunability of the emission frequency is an essential requirement to use THz QCL for high-resolution spectroscopy, a new method has been developed that relies on near-infrared (NIR) optical excitation of the QCL rear-facet. A wide tuning range has been achieved by using this approach. The scheme is straightforward to implement, and the approach can be readily applied to a large class of THz QCLs. The frequency and output stability of the local oscillator has a direct impact on the performance and consistency of the heterodyne spectroscopy. A technique has been developed for a simultaneous stabilization of the frequency and output power by taking advantage of the frequency and power regulation by NIR excitation. The results presented in this thesis will enable the routine use of THz QCLs for spectroscopic applications in the near future.

Author: Norman Ruhnke
Publisher: Cuvillier Verlag
ISBN: 373696613X
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 130

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Book Description
A compact and portable laser light source emitting in the wavelength range between 210 nm and 230 nm would enable numerous applications outside of laboratory environments, such as sterilization and disinfection of medical equipment, water purification or gas and air analysis using absorption spectroscopy. Such a source is also highly attractive for the identification and quantification of proteins and biomolecules by means of laser-induced fluorescence or Raman spectroscopy. In this thesis, a novel concept to realize such a compact and portable laser light source with low power consumption and an emission around 222 nm is investigated. The developed concept is based on single-pass frequency doubling of a commercially available high-power GaN laser diode emitting in the blue spectral range. Due to the low frequency doubling conversion efficiencies in this wavelength range of about 10-4 W-1, a laser diode with high optical output power above 1 W is required as pump source. Moreover, it has to exhibit narrowband emission in the range of the acceptance bandwidth of the applied nonlinear BBO crystal. Since GaN-based high-power laser diodes typically show broad emission spectra of Δλ = 1…2 nm, stabilizing and narrowing their wavelength by using external wavelength-selective elements is investigated and presented for the first time. With the understanding for the novel concept gained in this work, a compact ultraviolet laser light source was realized. It has a power consumption of less than 10 W and is exceptionally robust due to its immoveable components. The demonstrated output power of 160 μW enables numerous industrial and everyday applications for which previous laser systems have been too complex and overly cost- and energy-intensive.

Author: Thi Nghiem Vu
Publisher: Cuvillier Verlag
ISBN: 3736984804
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 139

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Book Description
This work aims at designing and characterizing diode laser based master oscillator power amplifier (MOPA) systems, which are targeted to be implemented into micro light detection and ranging (LIDAR) or differential absorption LIDAR (DIAL) systems for water vapor and aerosol detections. These light sources operate in the ns-pulse regime at a repetition rate of 25 kHz, leading to a resolution in the meter range in an altitude of 6 km. The monolithic MOPA, where Master Oscillator (MO) and Power Amplifier (PA) are integrated on one single chip, operates at 1064 nm wavelength. A peak power of 16.3 W with a pulse width of 3 ns was obtained. A spectral linewidth of about 150 pm and a side mode suppression ratio (SMSR) of 30 dB was observed. A ratio of 9% between the amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) and the laser was estimated. These spectral properties fulfill the requirements for aerosol detection. The hybrid MOPA systems have separate chips for MO and PA. Different hybrid MOPA systems provide a stabilized wavelength at 1064 nm, a tunable wavelength around 975 nm and a dual wavelength around 964 nm. They therefore enable to detect a well-defined absorption line, scan over absorption line and switch between on/off line in DIAL applications, respectively. Their spectral linewidth is below 10 pm, limited by the resolution of the spectrum analyzer. An SMSR of more than 50 dB for the MO and of more than 37 dB for the whole MOPA was reached. A ratio between ASE and laser below 1% was estimated. These spectral properties meet the requirements for water vapor absorption lines detection at atmospheric condition. Diode laser based MOPA systems were therefore proven to be potential light sources for micro-pulse-LIDAR systems – the basis for a new generation of ultra-compact, low-cost systems.

Author: Luca Redaelli
Publisher: Cuvillier Verlag
ISBN: 3736945868
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 177

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Book Description
In this work, several aspects concerning (In,Al,Ga)N laser diodes with high spectral purity, designed for applications in spectroscopy, were studied. A complete fabrication process for ridgewaveguide laser diodes on GaN substrate was developed. The lateral size of the ridge waveguides was as narrow as 1.5 μm: this is necessary in order to achieve lateral single-mode lasing in (In,Al,Ga)N laser diodes. A peculiar property of (In,Al,Ga)N laser diodes is that, when the ridge is narrow, the threshold current strongly depends on the ridge etch depth. This phenomenon was investigated by fabricating laser diodes with different etch depths. For ridge widths below 2 μm, the threshold current of shallow-ridge devices was found to be more than two times larger than that of comparable deep-ridge devices. Moreover, in the lateral far-field patterns of shallow-ridge laser diodes, side-lobes were observed, which would support the hypothesis of strong index-antiguiding. The antiguiding factor at threshold was experimentally determined to be about 10, which is among the largest values ever published for (In,Al,Ga)N laser diodes. The devices were further studied by simulation, and the results confirmed that the carrier-induced index change in the quantum wells can compensate the lateral index step if the ridge is shallow. This, in turn, reduces the lateral optical confi nement, which increases the threshold current and generates side lobes in the far-fi eld patterns. Based on this research, blue and violet laser diodes suitable for packaging in TO cans and continuous-wave (CW) operation exceeding 50 mW were fabricated. An external cavity diode laser (ECDL) was also realized, which could be tuned over the spectral range 435 nm - 444 nm and provided a peak emission power of more than 27 mW CW at 439 nm. As an alternative approach to obtain a narrow spectral linewidth, the feasibility of monolithically integrated Bragg-gratings was studied.