Modeling of oxide-confined vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers

We present a quasi-three-dimensional (quasi-3-D) model of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) using a finite difference beam propagation method (BPM) scheme. The electrical model is based on the carrier rate equation including carrier diffusion. This model, which gives an accurate optical description of the cavity, calculates the threshold current, laser wavelength, output power and secondary-mode rejection of any index or gain-guided VCSEL, taking into account spatial hole burning. The threshold current limit of different laser structures is investigated and different methods are suggested for reducing the scattering losses in oxide-confined structures. Finally, their single-mode limit at and above threshold is discussed, and thin oxide layers are examined to increase the aperture size while maintaining single-mode operation.