Abrupt self-switching in fused GaAs/InP vertical-cavity lasers

Summary form only given. GaAs/InP wafer fusion is a key technology in fabricating vertical-cavity lasers (VCLs) with long emission wavelength (1.3 /spl mu/m and 1.55 /spl mu/m). The fusion joins highly reflective AlGaAs/GaAs distributed Bragg reflectors (DBRs) with InGaAsP/InP active regions. Fused VCLs show the best performance of any long-wavelength VCL with electrically pumped continuous-wave operation up to 71/spl deg/C (1.55 /spl mu/m). However, a number of questions remains concerning the nature of the fused junction, and its effect on performance and long-term reliability of the laser. In particular, the current-voltage (I-V) and light-current (L-I) curves often show abrupt self-switching. We present the first detailed analysis and physical explanation of this switching phenomenon.