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Current and heat spreading transparent layers for surface-emitting lasers

CAFC
  • US 5,596,595 A
  • Filed: 06/08/1995
  • Issued: 01/21/1997
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/08/1995
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A surface-emitting laser comprising:

  • an optical cavity having an active layer in which light energy is generated at a substantially fixed wavelength in response to electrical current flow;

    a first plurality of layers having alternating indices of refraction, said first plurality of layers being on a first side of said optical cavity;

    a second plurality of layers having alternating indices of refraction, said second plurality of layer being on a second side of said optical cavity opposite to said first side;

    a first electrode on a side of said first plurality of layers opposite to said optical cavity, said first electrode having an opening for passage of said light energy;

    a second electrode on a side of said second plurality of layers opposite to said optical cavity;

    a heat-conducting layer formed in said opening of said first electrode, said heat-conducting layer having a lateral extent that is greater than a lateral extent of said opening in said first electrode, said heat-conducting layer extending over said first electrode and contacting at most a portion of a surface of said first electrode, thereby leaving a portion of said surface exposed; and

    an electrically conductive heat-spreading layer having a lateral extent that exceeds a lateral extent of said first electrode, said heat-spreading layer overlapping both said exposed surface of said first electrode and a portion of a surface of said heat-conducting layer, thereby being in electrical contact with said first electrode and in thermal contact with said heat-conducting layer;

    wherein said first plurality of layers and said heat-conducting layer have optical properties to permit transmission of said light energy through said opening of said first electrode.

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