A long-wavelength MEMS tunable VCSEL incorporating a tunnel junction

In this letter, we describe the performance of a microelectromechanical system tunable vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser operating at 1550 nm and incorporating a tunnel junction for improved current injection and reduced optical loss. These lasers exhibit single-mode powers greater than 0.28 mW over 10 nm of tuning. Peak single-mode powers are greater than 0.8 mW and minimum threshold currents are less than 1 mA.