Metamorphic DBR and tunnel-junction injection. A CW RT monolithic long-wavelength VCSEL

We present and give details about the conception and realization of the first monolithic long wavelength vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) operating continuous wave at room temperature. This approach relies on two originalities: a metamorphic GaAs-AlAs distributed Bragg reflector and an injection through a reverse-biased tunnel junction. Record output powers as high as 1 mW and a maximum operating temperature of 47/spl deg/C have thus been achieved. Furthermore, in this paper, we present the optimization work on the different constituting parts of the VCSEL.