Self-consistent modelling of oxide aperture visible vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser devices

A comprehensive model employing the beam propagation method for the study of oxide-confined visible vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers is presented. In this model all the major physical processes including the current density distribution, the self-heating effect of the devices, the carrier lateral diffusion in quantum wells and optical field modes are considered consistently. The threshold properties are calculated and the results suggest that the optimum oxide aperture radius is between 5 and 6 mum to achieve maximum output power for a substrate at room temperature.