Direct Modulation of Multimode Vertical Cavity Surface

Vertical cavity surface emitting lasers are semiconductor lasers where the optical cavity is defined epitaxially, perpendicular to the surface of the wafer. This gives rise to optical and electrical properties that are quite different from the traditional edge emitting lasers that are now used in microwave photonic links. This work is an investigation into the suitability of using multimode VCSELs for such links which require high fidelity analog signal transmission. Experimental measurements were made and theoretical and numerical models of multimode VCSELs were developed to gain a deeper understanding of the physics limiting their performance. In particular, spatial inhomogeneities in the optical mode and active region along with multiple transverse mode coupling were studied to determine their effects on the noise and dynamic modulation properties of these lasers. Thesis Supervisor: Rajeev J. Ram Title: Associate Professor