Surface emitting laser

• US 20070121694A1
• Filed: 04/24/2006
• Published: 05/31/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Okamoto, Kohei
• Granted Patent: US 7,733,936 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 372/50.124
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 20/00 Nanooptics, e.g. quantum optics or photonic crystals
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 5/0604 comprising a non-linear region, e.g. generating harmonics of the laser frequency
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 5/11 Comprising a photonic bandgap structure
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 5/1225 with a varying coupling constant along the optical axis
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 5/1228 DFB lasers with a complex coupled grating, e.g. gain or loss coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 5/183 having only vertical cavities, e.g. vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers [VCSEL]
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 5/18358 containing spacer layers to adjust the phase of the light wave in the cavity
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 5/34333 with a well layer based on Ga(In)N or Ga(In)P, e.g. blue laser
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 5/34366 based on InGa(Al)AS

Abstract

There is provided a novel surface emitting laser structure unnecessary to have multilayer mirrors in both of upper and lower sides of an active layer. A surface emitting laser comprises a two-dimensional periodic structure which is comprised of an active material having a gain in a specific wavelength band of electromagnetic waves, and a reflecting mirror arranged apart by a predetermined distance so as to face the above-mentioned two-dimensional periodic structure, and these are comprised so as to make laser oscillation possible. At that time, the above-mentioned two-dimensional periodic structure is formed of a two-dimensional photonic crystal which is comprised of a dielectric, and a resonator is comprised of a reflecting mirror pair formed by combination with the above-mentioned reflecting mirror to make laser oscillation generated.

Claims

1. A vertical resonator type surface emitting

laser, comprising:

an active layer, and

a first reflecting mirror provided oppositely to the active layer, wherein the active layer has a two-dimensional periodical structure where a refractive index in an in-plane direction of the active layer changes periodically so as to become a second reflecting mirror to an emission wavelength.

2. The vertical resonator type surface emitting laser according to claim 1, wherein a spacer region is provided between the first reflecting mirror and the active layer.

3. The vertical resonator type surface emitting laser according to claim 1, wherein an emission window for emitting laser light to the external is provided in the two-dimensional periodic structure.

4. The vertical resonator type surface emitting laser according to claim 1, wherein the two-dimensional periodic structure and the first reflecting mirror function as a vertical resonator in cooperation with each other.

5. The vertical resonator type surface emitting laser according-to claim 1, wherein the two-dimensional periodic structure has a defect which disturbs periodicity of the periodic structure.

6. The vertical resonator type surface emitting laser according to claim 1, wherein the first reflecting mirror is comprised of a dielectric multilayer film.

7. The vertical resonator type surface emitting laser according to claim 1, wherein the first reflecting mirror is comprised of an active material which is comprised of a second two-dimensional periodic structure, and has a gain in a specific-wavelength band.

8. The vertical resonator type surface emitting laser according to claim 1, wherein the first reflecting mirror, or a region between the active layer and the first reflecting mirror is comprised of a nonlinear optical material.

9. The vertical resonator type surface emitting laser according to claim 1, wherein a means of making a gain distribution generated is provided in the active layer.

10. The vertical resonator type surface emitting laser according to claim 1, wherein a second active layer which is comprised of an active material and does not have two-dimensional periodical structure between the active layer and the first reflecting mirror is provided.