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Harold

The Hetero-structure Laser Diode Model

Harold

VCSEL Module

Harold VCSEL 3-D Laser Module

Introduction

HAROLD/VCSEL is a full 3D model, computing the multiple optical cavity modes, electrical drift-diffusion, heat-flow and electron-photon interactions. Building on Photon Design’s 30 year experience in both EM and laser diode modelling, this provides a comprehensive integrated design environment for a variety of the VCSEL variations being explored by industry today, including QW materials, tunnel junctions, current blocking oxide apertures and more.

Modelling Scope

HAROLD/VCSEL covers the three main areas of modelling:

Optical:

  • Built in full-vector 3D cavity mode solver for multiple modes
  • Scattering off oxide windows, contact apertures
  • Built-in far-field calculator
  • Built-in QW gain model, with databases for common materials InGaAsP, AlGaAs, InGaAlAs etc.

Electrical:

  • Self Consistent Poisson/drift-diffusion electrical model
  • Current confinement via oxide apertures or tunnel junctions
  • Electrical Leakage

Thermal:

  • Full 3D thermal heat-flow model
  • Joule(I2R) heating, contact resistance heating
  • Recombination, FCA, IVBA heat sources

VCSEL Editor

Starting from your epitaxy recipe our updated user interface in Harold/VCSEL will make it easy to design your VCSEL, with features for easy definition of DBRs and positioning of contacts, tunnel junctions and oxide layers.

Simulation Results

Harold/VCSEL is capable of generating a wide variety of simulation results, giving a detailed insight in device behaviour. These include:

  • Temperature, heat sources
  • Current and carrier density
  • Optical mode/far-field

Detailed Cross-Sectional and Plan Profiles

Steady State Device Results

  • LIV Curves
  • Temperature and dissipated heat source powers
  • Recombination currents
  • QW gain, carrier density, FCA/IVBA

Time-Domain Results Spectra

  • Time evolution of optical power and carrier density
  • Laser output optical spectra (power spectral density), RIN spectra
  • Lasing linewidth