Threshold and modal characteristics of composite-resonator vertical-cavity lasers

We report the operation of a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) with two active, coupled optical cavities. In contrast to a conventional single-cavity VCSEL, the coupling between the two electrically independent active regions produces emission into two longitudinal modes. The light output versus current characteristics are presented under various biasing conditions in each cavity. Laser operation is achieved with current injection into only one cavity, and additional current injected into the other cavity changes the effective threshold current measured. The longitudinal and transverse modes are characterized, and it is found that the modal evolution of the laser can be modified by current injection into each cavity.