Heat-source distribution in etched-well surface-emitting semiconductor lasers

The authors report on the development of a comprehensive self-consistent thermal-electrical model of etched-well vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers. The analysis provides valuable insight into distribution of heat sources in these devices. Two-dimensional current- and heat-spreading analysis is used to determine in a self-consistent manner a realistic distribution of heat sources in etched-well vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers. Strong nonuniformities of heat-source and temperature distributions are revealed. The relative contributions of various heat sources are evaluated. The Joule heating of the p-AlGaAs cladding layer is identified as a major cause of intense heating above threshold.