High-temperature long-wavelength vertical-cavity lasers

Vertical cavity lasers(VCLs) have recently been the subject of much research effort around the world. These lasers hold the promise of inexpensive, low threshold, high speed sources for optical communication. Short wavelength lasers have many applications, including free space optical interconnects and short distance datacom, but have limited potential for longer distances due to the absorption and dispersion spectrum of standard optical fiber. The longer wavelength sources near 1.3 or 1.5 {dollar}rmmu m{dollar} are ideally suited for medium and long distance applications. Interoperability as well as compatibility with existing fiber optic infrastructure also call for longer wavelength sources. However, large volume commercialization of such devices, for applications such as FTTH(fiber to the home), requires a wide temperature range of operation {dollar}rm ({lcub}-{rcub}40spcirc C{dollar} to {dollar}rm 85spcirc C).{dollar} Historically, the realization of such high performance long-wavelength vertical cavity-lasers has been difficult. Nonetheless, advances in fabrication techniques, such as wafer fusion, have allowed for ever increasing device performance. In this thesis, we present recent results that include devices with multigigahetz frequency responses, hundred of microwatts of cw output powers, as well as {dollar}rm 65spcirc C{dollar} continuous-wave operating temperatures. In addition, these devices have now been demonstrated as sources in link transmission experiment at 2.5 Gb/s over 200 km of optical fiber, far surpassing the record distance-bandwidth products of any other VCL experiment. We analyze here the design and fabrication of these record performance devices. Further advancements may soon lead to commercial level performance.