Modal reflectivity of horizontal cavity surface-emitting lasers, amplifiers, and SLEDs

In this paper a beam propagation model used to compute model reflectivities of HC SELs, amplifiers, and SLEDs will be presented. These devices all employ an intracavity 45 degree(s) micromirror which causes the light to propagate in a direction perpendicular to the epilayers. The lack of a waveguide structure for propagation perpendicular to the epilayers and the broad angular spectrum produced by highly confined transverse modes of GRINSCH-SQW devices must be considered when analyzing folded-cavity devices. The model includes Fresnel reflections from multilayer thin-films, angular errors in the 45 degree(s) micromirror, the dependence on the horizontal reflector separation, Fresnel beam propagation, and waveguide coupling losses of the reflected field. The model predicts good conversion efficiencies, despite low effective reflectivities from the folded-end-mirror. There is good agreement with experimental data.