GaInNAs long-wavelength lasers: progress and challenges

Research to realize long-wavelength, GaInNAs quantum well lasers has been intense in the past three years. The results have been very promising considering the relative immaturity and challenges of this new materials system. This paper reviews both the materials challenges and progress in growth of the metastable GaInNAs alloys required to reach the 1.3–1.55 μm communication wavelengths and the challenges and progress in device design for both vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers and higher power edge-emitting lasers.