Physics of VCSELs: temperature-dependent modulation response

A novel version of the commercial device simulator DESSIS-Laser is used to simulate the temperature-dependent static and dynamic characteristics of a multi mode vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser. The microscopic simulation shows a saturation of the effective differential gain of the modulation response with increased drive currents. Carrier dynamics and self-heating effects are identified as main cause, and excellent agreement with measurements is achieved.