Comprehensive large-signal analyses of RF modulation of vertical cavity surface emitting lasers

This paper introduces comprehensive numerical simulations of the static and dynamic characteristics of vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) under both continuous-wave (CW) operation and sinusoidal modulation. Both cases of single and two-tone modulations are studied. The VCSEL is assumed to oscillate in two modes, and the obtained results are compared to those of single mode VCSELs. The study is based on a multimode rate equation model of VCSELs, which describes the time evolution of number of the emitted photons and the density of injected electrons in the active and cladding layers. The higher and half harmonic distortions of the single-tone modulated signals as well as the intermodulated distortion of the two-tone modulated signals are investigated and correlated to the characteristics of the signal waveform.

► We characterized dynamics of both single and multimode VCSELs under single and two tone modulations.
► We investigated the associated higher harmonic and intermodulation distortions.
► The signal distortions for single mode VCSELs are lower than those for multimode VCSELs.
► The higher-order harmonic distortions are enhanced when the laser output is pulsing.