5-wavelength surface emitting laser diode array based on post growth adjustment of surface mode emission

The multi-wavelength optical networking (MONET) is the ultimate solution for future optical communication systems serving both commercial and specialized communication applications. Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) schemes have been developed to fully utilize the bandwidth of optical fibers. Multi-wavelength semiconductor laser diode (LD) arrays are considered as a compact choice for WDM sources due to their capability of simultaneous transmission of several channels into an optical fiber from a single structure. This increases the total system speed and resolution without significantly increasing system size or costs. Efforts on LD arrays for WDM applications focus on LDs such as DFB/DBR and VCSEL lasers.