Harold VCSEL Laser Module
Introduction
HAROLD/VCSEL is a full 3D model, computing the optical cavity modes, electrical drift-diffusion, heat-flow and electron-photon interactions. Building on Photon Design’s 30 year experience in both EM and laser diode modelling, this provides a comprehensive integrated design environment for a variety of the VCSEL variations being explored by industry today, including QW materials, current blocking apertures and more.
Modelling Scope
HAROLD/VCSEL covers the three main areas of modelling:
Optical:
- Built in full-vector 3D cavity mode solver
- Scattering off oxide windows, contact apertures
- Built-in far-field calculator
- Built-in QW gain model, with databases for common materials InGaAsP, AlGaAs, InGaAlAs etc.
Electrical:
- Self Consistent Poisson/drift-diffusion electrical model
- Electrical Leakage
Thermal:
- Full 3D thermal heat-flow model
- Joule(I2R) heating, contact resistance heating
- Recombination, FCA, IVBA heat sources
VCSEL Editor
Starting from your epitaxy recipe our updated user interface in Harold/VCSEL will make it easy to design your VCSEL, with features for easy definition of DBRs and positioning of contacts and oxide layers.
VCSEL device editor: a base layer structure is modified via the use of etch and grow processes to allow careful placement of current-blocking oxide apertures (displayed in the red box) and ring-contacts.
Simulation Results
Harold/VCSEL is capable of generating a wide variety of simulation results, giving a detailed insight in device behaviour. These include:
- Temperature, heat sources
- Current and carrier density
- Optical mode/far-field
Detailed Cross-Sectional and Plan Profiles
Profile of optical mode (left) and temperature (right) inside the cavity
Far-field intensity profile of VCSEL output
Current density profile showing cross-section and plan views of current flow through oxide layer aperture
Steady State Device Results
- LIV Curves
- Temperature and dissipated heat source powers
- Recombination currents
- QW gain, carrier density, FCA/IVBA
VCSEL LI curves at different ambient temperatures
Time-Domain Results Spectra
- Time evolution of optical power and carrier density
- Laser output optical spectra (power spectral density), RIN spectra
- Lasing linewidth
Time-evolving radial carrier density profile for laser switch-on
Laser output optical spectrum
Coming Soon!
As the development of Harold/VCSEL continues, we look forward to adding further features and functionality in subsequent releases, including:
- Side current injection
- Support for wafer bonding
- Tunnel junctions
- Time-domain dynamics/modulation response spectra
- Multi-mode operation
- And more...
Please contact us if you are interested in these or have any further feature requests.
