Hybrid complex-coupled Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers with organic active materials in the UV-range

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Thomas Fuhrmann-Lieker; Professor Dr. Hartmut Hillmer; Professor Dr. Bernd Witzigmann
• Subject Area: Electronic Semiconductors, Components and Circuits, Integrated Systems, Sensor Technology, Theoretical Electrical Engineering
• Term: from 2012 to 2016
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 213425992

Ultraviolet laser light has numerous applications especially in the fields of health care, spectroscopy and sensing technology. Due to its short wavelength it results in an increase of storage density in optical data storage. Therefore mass-produced, compact and inexpensive laser structures with high demands in the spectral purity of light are required. To meet the above needs, this research project provides the production of innovative vertical-emitting laser structures (VCSEL - Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser). The proposed VCSEL structures have periodically alternating layer sequences of optically active and passive layers in vertical direction. Thus the coupling coefficient becomes a complex quantity that is why we talk about a complex feedback. This complex-coupled laser structure will be implemented with a previously unexplored approach by infiltration of non-volatile, organic active materials into the inorganic dielectric multi-gap structure. From these novel structures a lower lasing threshold and an improved suppression of the side modes is expected. The technological production of the VCSEL is accompanied by theoretical model calculations.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants