Oxide-confined monolithic, multiple-wavelength vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser arrays with a 40-nm wavelength span

Monolithic, multiple-wavelength, vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser arrays grown by controlling the metal-organic chemical vapor deposition epitaxial growth rate on a patterned substrate, and using selective oxidation for current confinement, have been demonstrated with a periodic, graded wavelength span of 40 nm, Near room-temperature, electrically pumped continuous-wave lasing is achieved over the entire 40-nm range, with uniform threshold currents of 4.5 mA/spl plusmn/1.0 mA, and with output powers ranging from 0.4-1.3 mW.