Vertical cavity lasers for optical interconnects

Vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers are generating much interest due to their geometric suitability for two-dimensional array fabrication and their potential for achieving ultra-low thresholds. Here we report on optically- and electrically-pumped microlaser devices. having transverse dimensions of a few microns and active material lengths of a few hundred A. The very small volumes are a key factor in achieving low thresholds. So far however surface recombination has prevented us from achieving thresholds much below 1 mA.