High efficiency GaAs-based 1130-nm polarized VCSELs for 3D sensing

In recent years, VCSELs in the range of 810 nm to 940 nm have been widely used in consumer, industrial and automotive markets for 3D sensing applications due to their high efficiency, scalability, small footprint, and low cost. Interest in VCSELs at longer wavelengths, such as 1130 nm, is growing because of several advantages like deeper penetration, reduced ambient light interference, improved material interaction, and increased eye safety. At the same time, a polarized light source also plays a significant role in 3D sensing as it reduces glare and reflections, improve signal to noise ratio, enhance depth information, and mitigate subsurface scattering. Surface gratings have been proven to be a reliable polarization control method for VCSELs in the past years. Here, Lumentum demonstrates a high-efficiency polarized GaAs-based VCSEL lasing at 1130nm with an integrated surface grating. Comparable L-I performance has been observed for the VCSELs with and without gratings. For VCSELs with grating, over 30% wall-plug efficiency and 13 dB polarization extinction ratio have been achieved, with up to 20 dB or beyond possible. This type of device shows promise for use in future SWIR image technologies.