Thermal optimization of 1.55 mu m OP-VECSEL with hybrid metal-metamorphic mirror for single-mode high power operation

We report on the thermal design and the characterization of InP-based 1.55 mu m wavelength large diameter (similar to 100 mu m) optically pumped vertical external cavity surface emitting lasers (OP-VECSELs). The device is thermally optimized for high power ( > 70 mW) room-temperature (RT) continuous-wave (CW) single-mode operation. Efficient bottom heat dissipation in the 1/2-VCSEL chip is obtained thanks to the use of a hybrid metal- metamorphic GaAs/AlAs mirror integrated to the InP-based active region, and to subsequent soldering on a SiC substrate. A single-mode output power of 77mW is obtained under CW-RT laser operation, limited by the pump power. Moreover thermal simulations and characterizations of the 1/2-VCSEL chip show that even higher power could be obtained at higher pumping levels, using a CVD diamond substrate.