Transverse and temporal mode dependence on mirror contrast in microcavity lasers

Optically pumped vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers with four cavities differing in mirror contrast ratio are fabricated and the steady-state and gain-switched operations are studied. Experimental data show the dependence of the steady-state and dynamic response of the lasing mode on the cavity, gain region, and temperature. Coupling between the transverse radiation pattern and the gain-switched pulse width in time is shown to exist. The results are analyzed by relating the measured radiation fields to the spatial extent and frequency content of the stimulated emission source.<
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