Thermal management in vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting lasers: finite-element analysis of a heatspreader approach

• Published in: IEEE journal of quantum electronics Vol. 41; no. 2; pp. 148 - 155
• Main Authors: Kemp, A.J., Valentine, G.J., Hopkins, J.-M., Hastie, J.E., Smith, S.A., Calvez, S., Dawson, M.D., Burns, D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY IEEE 01.02.2005; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Crystal structure; Crystallization; Exact sciences and technology; Finite element method; Finite element methods; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Heat pumps; Heat transfer; Heat transmission; Laser excitation; Laser optical systems: design and operation; Lasers; Mathematical analysis; Optical pumping; Optics; Physics; Pump lasers; Resonators, cavities, amplifiers, arrays, and rings; Semiconductor lasers; Semiconductor lasers; laser diodes; Semiconductors; solid lasers; Surface emitting lasers; Thermal conductivity; Thermal management; Vertical cavity surface emitting lasers; Distributed Bragg reflector lasers; Thermal lens; Digital simulation; Diamonds; Theoretical study; Multiple quantum well; Optical pumping; External cavity; Vertical cavity laser; Finite element method; Semiconductor lasers; Solid state lasers; Surface emitting lasers; Quantum well lasers; Thermal conductivity; Diode pumping; Distributed Bragg reflectors
• ISSN: 0018-9197; 1558-1713
• DOI: 10.1109/JQE.2004.839706

The use of crystalline heatspreaders to improve thermal management in optically pumped vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting lasers is studied via finite-element analysis. The required properties of a heatspreader are examined and the effect on heat flow is discussed, as are thermal lensing effects. The advantages of diamond heatspreaders are highlighted. The power-scaling potential is compared to other approaches. Heatspreaders are found to be promising, particularly for use with low thermal conductivity semiconductors.