Rigorous full-vectorial optical analysis of VCSEL using FDFD method

In this paper, the optical problem of the Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) is analyzed in details. Taking advantage of the VCSEL layer structure, Maxwell’s equation is discretized on uniform Yee grid, and the rigorous full vectorial Finite Difference Frequency Domain (FDFD) method was used to formulate and solve the complex eigenvalue problem. The full vectorial solver is well suited for the fundamental as well as the higher-order modes and includes different field polarization. The method is demonstrated for advanced VCSEL incorporating the surface reliefs and the oxide layer. In order to compare with the experimental structure, a superposition of the VCSEL modes is used to construct the Linearly Polarized (LP) mode.