Novel VCSEL and coherent VCSEL array devices

Vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) represent a cost-effective solution for many applications. Their easy integration and small dimension allow them to play a vital role in in datacom and consumer applications. But so far oxide aperture set a limit on achievable geometries and mode confinement.
Tunnel junction-based devices instead unlock new potential opportunities. Based on this technology, the ability to control lithographically the aperture will be used to engineer the modes and eventually to control them to enhance the performances, both in terms of bandwidth and coupling control.
With the fast development of artificial intelligence, higher data rates are becoming increasingly important and VCSELs already demonstrated the ability to reach up to 100 Gbit/s per lane with the current technology. On the other hand, coupling between emitters has been elusive, difficult to control and not fully exploited with oxide VCSELs. However, it showed the potential to extend the bandwidth beyond the current performance.
Thus, lithographically defined cavities will be employed to introduce additional effects, exploiting coupling between emitters to study photon-photon resonance and more advanced patterning for detuned loading in VCSELs