SBIR Phase II:Next Generation Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers

这个小型企业创新研究第二阶段项目计划制造垂直腔面发射激光器(VCSEL)并将其商业化，使其不受半导体衬底选择的任何波长限制。这些革命性的VCSEL将以单模式工作，具有高输出功率、窄线宽和稳定的线偏振，用于光谱分析和通信。利用二维光子晶体结构和与衬底无关的反射体，可以构建覆盖近红外和接近中红外(800 nm到2500 nm)的任何波长的高效单模VCSEL。通过极低的电阻和高效的散热，实现了高效率和高输出功率。第一个原型将有一个雄心勃勃的目标，即在长途光纤通信和近红外光谱分析中提供DFB激光器的首选替代方案。该项目的广泛影响/商业潜力包括许多社会、教育、科学和商业效益。作为一项社会效益，这项技术的商业化将使空气和水污染的测量更快、更简单，并使电信更快、更低成本。作为教育和科学的好处，新一代VCSEL的开发为制造可用于光学信号处理和新型激光设计的2D光子晶体提供了一种强大而可靠的方法。此外，由此产生的高效率、高模式质量的紧凑型激光器可以用于泵浦高功率固态激光器；最后，这些先进激光器的高速版本可以简化用于科学模拟的快速计算机系统中的数据通信。作为一种商业影响，下一代VCSELs的额外功能将使它们能够突破目前的利基数据通信市场，进入通信和仪器设备的更广泛应用。它们的衬底独立性最终将使它们有可能在硅和其他适合最终应用的材料上进行加工。这将导致对VCSELs的需求显著增加，因为它们将服务于新的市场。

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase II project proposes to fabricate and commercialize Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers (VCSELs) that are free from any wavelength limitations imposed by the choice of semiconductor substrate. These revolutionary VCSELs will operate in a single mode with high output power, narrow linewidth and a stable linear polarization for use in spectroscopy and communications. Using 2D photonic crystal structures and substrate-independent reflectors, it is possible to build efficient single mode VCSELs at any wavelength covering the near-infrared and approaching mid infrared (800nm to 2,500nm). High efficiency and high output power are achieved by very low electrical resistance and efficient heat sinking. The first prototype will have the ambitious goal of offering a preferred alternative to DFB lasers in long-haul fiber optic communications and near infrared spectroscopy.The broader impact/commercial potential of this project includes many societal, educational, scientific and commercial benefits. As a social benefit, the commercialization of this technology will enable faster and simpler air and water contamination measurements, and faster and lower-cost telecommunications. As an educational and scientific benefit, the next generation VCSEL development provides a robust and reliable method for fabricating 2D photonic crystals that are usable for optical signal processing and novel laser designs. Also, the resulting high-efficiency compact lasers with high mode quality can be used for pumping high power solid state lasers; and finally, the high speed versions of these advanced lasers can simplify data communication in fast computer systems used in scientific simulations. As a commercial impact, the additional functionalities of the next generation VCSELs will enable them to break out of their current niche datacom market into broader applications in communications and instrumentation. Their substrate independence will eventually make it possible to process them on silicon and other materials suitable for the final application. This will lead to a significant increase in demand for VCSELs due to the new markets that they will serve.