June 29, 2006 Hudson, NH -- Laser Components IG claims it has successfully "crossed" a distributed feedback (DFB) laser and a singlemode vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (SM-VCSEL) on wafer. The resulting horizontal-cavity surface-emitting laser (HCSEL) works uncooled and can be modulated up to 4 Gbits/sec.

According to the company, the HCSEL unites the output power of the DFB with the traditional VCSEL advantage of on-wafer testing (which is particularly advantageous in high quantities). The trick is to implement the resonator using a 45-degree mirror instead of the conventional 90-degree mirror, say company representatives. In this way, a mostly conventional horizontal resonator is created, but it still has a vertical irradiation.

The typical output power is 20 mW cw at 30 dB side mode suppression. Prototypes in SOT 4.6 housings can be ordered under the brand name SPECDILAS-H-1300-GMP. Customized products are available in the wavelength range from 1270 to 1700 nm.