Mid-Infrared Metamorphic Interband Cascade vertical cavity Surface Emitting Lasers – MIMIC-SEL

The main objective of MIMIC-SEL is to create the first-ever electrically-pumped Vertical-Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) technology emitting at wavelengths longer than 3µm and operating in CW mode at temperature higher than 300K.

The availability of electrically pumped VCSELs at wavelength longer than 3 µm operating in continuous wave above room temperature is considered as a breakthrough for laser-based optical sensing applications. Indeed, these devices have a low cost potential, low power consumption and overall emits single frequency with mode-hop free tunability. These ideal and unmatched properties will enable widespread utilization of photonic sensor networks. This will contribute to the well being and health of the population by stimulating air pollution monitoring, detecting leaks and preventing fire as other possible application.
Electrically-pumped mid-IR VCSELs rely on GaSb-based materials. But entering in the 3-5 µm wavelength range requires new approaches for both active zone design and device processing. Thus, the structure will be based on an interband cascade type-II active zone, a metamorphic oxide-based lateral confinement scheme and a hybrid-mirror technology with target performances suited for spectroscopy applications.
The starting point of this project is the complementary knowhow of the consortium with the expertise of IES on the growth and study of GaSb-based VCSELs, the capability of LAAS for VCSELs processing, in particular regarding the controlled oxidation of Al(Ga)As layers, and of FOTON for their expertise in dielectric materials dedicated to Bragg mirror.
The project is organized into 4 tasks, one for the management and 3 for technical development. The first part (Task 2 and 3) of the MIMIC-SEL project will develop every element constituting the VCSEL structure, i.e. the active region and the Bragg mirrors for operation beyond 3 µm. This part will give us the information on the key parameters such as gain, reflectivity, optical losses, and thermal properties to properly design the VCSELs. The last part (Task 4) will be related to the realization, characterization of VCSELs and application to gas sensing.