II-VI semiconductor diode laser having a strained layer
First Claim
1. A II-VI semiconductor diode laser comprising:
- a substrate;
a II-VI semiconductor layer structure disposed atop the substrate and including a II-VI semiconductor active layer and a II-VI semiconductor electrical contact layer disposed over the II-VI semiconductor active layer; and
a strained layer disposed over the II-VI semiconductor layer structure.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A II-VI semiconductor diode laser has a strained layer disposed on top of the structure. This strained layer, having a thickness of between about 0.05 microns and 2 microns, is either a single film or a stack of films, preferably of metal. The strain field produced by this layer in the semiconductor layer structure produces a change in the refractive index of the structure, due to the photo-elastic effect. By virtue of this effect a strain-induced waveguide is provided in the diode laser, with a strained layer in an edge, stripe or window structure. Furthermore, a tensely-strained layer covering the entire structure is used to produce a strain field similar to that which occurs when the structure is bent. This strain field will produce strain-enhanced gain in the underlying structure, which allows for operation of the laser at a lower threshold current.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A II-VI semiconductor diode laser comprising:
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a substrate; a II-VI semiconductor layer structure disposed atop the substrate and including a II-VI semiconductor active layer and a II-VI semiconductor electrical contact layer disposed over the II-VI semiconductor active layer; and a strained layer disposed over the II-VI semiconductor layer structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification