Author(s): Zhao, ZZ (Zhao, Zhuangzhuang); Xie, YY (Xie, Yiyang); Pan, GZ (Pan, Guanzhong); Ni, PN (Ni, Peinan); Wang, QH (Wang, Qiuhua); Dong, YB (Dong, Yibo); Hu, LC (Hu, Liangchen); Sun, J (Sun, Jie); Chen, HD (Chen, Hongda); Xu, C (Xu, Chen); Genevet, P (Genevet, Patrice)

Source: OPTICS EXPRESS Volume: 29 Issue: 2 Pages: 1481-1491 DOI: 10.1364/OE.414671 Published: JAN 18 2021

Abstract: Vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) play a key role in the development of the next generation of optoelectronic technologies, thanks to their unique characteristics, such as low-power consumption, circular beam profile, high modulation speed, and large-scale two-dimensional array. Dynamic phase manipulation of VCSELs within a compact system is highly desired for a large variety of applications. In this work, we incorporate the emerging microfluidic technologies into the conventional VCSELs through a monolithic integration approach, enabling dynamic phase control of lasing emissions with low power consumption and low thermal generation. As a proof of concept, a beam steering device is experimentally demonstrated by integrating microfluidic channel on a coherently coupled VCSELs array. Experimental results show that the deflection angles of the laser beam from the chip can be tuned from 0 degrees to 2.41 degrees under the injection of liquids with different refractive index into the microchannel. This work opens an entirely new solution to implement a compact laser system with real-time wavefront controllability. It holds great potentials in various applications, including optical fiber communications, laser printing, optical sensing, directional displays, ultra-compact light detection and ranging (LiDAR). (C) 2021 Optical Society of America under the terms of the OSA Open Access Publishing Agreement

Accession Number: WOS:000609227300038

ISSN: 1094-4087

Full Text: https://www.osapublishing.org/oe/fulltext.cfm?uri=oe-29-2-1481&id=446371