Generation of picosecond pulses with a gain-switched GaAs surface-emitting laser

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Abstract
Pulses shorter than 4 ps (deconvolved) have been obtained by optically gain switching a GaAs multiple quantum well vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser with a picosecond dye laser. Pulse width and relative peak delay were measured as a function of pump power. A theoretical model of the large signal response agrees well with the measured data. The model predicts the minimum achievable pulse width and pulse delay for this device structure. Experimental results and calculated values indicate that very high modulation rates are possible with vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers.