Abstract

Tunable vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs), available as either MEMS-VCSELs [1] or fiber-VCSELs [2-3], are attractive sources for applications in areas including spectroscopy, sensing and communications, but are typically limited to output powers of ~lmW. Here, we report initial results on a Master Oscillator Power Amplifier (MOPA)-like embodiment of fiber-VCSEL as a means of addressing this power scaling issue. This preserves the attractive attributes of the fiber-VECSEL including (i) continuously-tunable single-longitudinal mode operation with high side mode suppression, (ii) inherent fiber coupling making them suitable for remote interrogation, (iii) easy optical pumping and (iv) separate optimization of the gain structure and output coupling, whilst facilitating amplification at wavelengths for which rare-earth-doped fibers are well-established.

© 2009 IEEE