Title :
Compact, integrated optical disk readout head using a novel bistable vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser
Author :
Hudgings, J.A. ; Lim, S.F. ; Li, G.S. ; Wupen Yuen ; Lau, K.Y. ; Chang-Hasnain, Connie J.
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Electr. Eng. & Comput. Sci., California Univ., Berkeley, CA, USA
Abstract :
We demonstrate a novel integrated optical disk readout head using a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) with an intracavity quantum-well absorber. Optical pickup detection is performed by measuring the change in the absorber voltage as optical feedback into the VCSEL cavity is varied. We obtain a 0.22-V peak-to-peak response with a RC time constant of 20 μs, indicating a rolloff frequency of 50 kHz. The unique design flexibility of this device allows amplification of the detection signal by operating the device in a bistable regime.
Keywords :
integrated optics; laser beam applications; optical bistability; optical disc storage; optical saturable absorption; optical signal detection; pick-ups; quantum well lasers; surface emitting lasers; 0.22 V; 20 mus; InGaAs; RC time constant; VCSEL; VCSEL cavity; absorber voltage; bistable vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser; compact integrated optical disk readout head; design flexibility; detection signal amplification; intracavity quantum-well absorber; optical feedback; optical pickup detection; peak-to-peak response; rolloff frequency; Integrated optics; Laser feedback; Optical bistability; Optical detectors; Optical feedback; Performance evaluation; Quantum well lasers; Surface emitting lasers; Vertical cavity surface emitting lasers; Voltage;
Journal_Title :
Photonics Technology Letters, IEEE
