We use Offner relay designs to demonstrate powerful new tools for the design and evaluation of off-axis freeform mirrors. The new Composite capability in OpticStudio allows us to perturb any surface for better optimization, tolerancing, and analysis.
The merit function defines the permissible range of component variable values in optimizing lens systems. This ensures the optimization algorithm explores parameter variations within specified bounds, contributing to the generation of feasible designs. In this study, we introduce an approach to identify the optimization-sensitive surface parameters of a relay lens through the utilization of the multi-configuration composite feature. The parameter variations sensitivity is analyzed by employing the Zernike Standard Sag Surface as an add-on composite surface, with a perturbation pattern of spherical aberration irregularity across multiple configurations preceding each lens surface within the Zemax lens data editor. The primary performance degradation impact on surface parameters is identified by examining the image spot dimension charts. In light of the analysis results, rigorous constraints are imposed on the sensitive component. A suitable variable range is defined to establish practical limits, aiding the algorithm in searching for solutions within the feasible parameter space. This ensures optimized designs that are physically realizable and meet the specified performance criteria.
KEYWORDS: Mirrors, Finite element methods, Data modeling, Process modeling, Prisms, Thermography, Systems modeling, Beam steering, Gradient-index optics, Optical testing
For many optical applications, we need more efficient ways to create complete models of the system performance, including optical, thermal, and structural effects. Current models are difficult to create and prone to error. More efficient methods would lower costs and enable new kinds of studies. We examine the ideal STOP workflow for two systems. First, we model an optical test for a light-weighted mirror with the goal of determining its on-orbit shape. Second, we inspect the workflow for a compact steering prism system with some absorption of the incident beam. We identify challenges to implementation and discuss possible solutions.
The role of metal apertures in the mechanism of lateral mode confinement in vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) is clarified by means of a detailed effective-frequency-method analysis of an oxide-confined VCSEL structure with the radius of the oxide window exceeding that of the metal aperture. Ring metal contact layer on top of the VCSEL structure is shown to be able to change the conditions for the lateral waveguiding in VCSELs by significantly modifying the local resonant properties of the VCSEL cavity. The resonant effects are demonstrated in the longitudinal coupled-cavity system consisting of the designed laser cavity, determined by the lower and top DBRs, and a very short cavity formed by the top DBR and semiconductor-metal interface. The conditions for higher-order lateral mode suppression using metal apertures are established.
A three-dimensional electrical-thermal-optical numerical solver is applied to model top-emitting oxide-confined vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) with GaAs/AlGaAs multiple-quantum-well active region. CW mode of operation is simulated over a range of voltages, covering sub-threshold spontaneous emission and lasing emission. Effect of self-distribution of electrical current is demonstrated for the first time in a self-consistent electrical-thermal-optical simulation of VCSELs.
The position-dependent effective mass Hamiltonian H=- (h/2)[m(z)](alpha )(Delta) [m(z)](beta )(Delta) [m(z)](alpha )+V(z) with 2(alpha) + (beta) =-1 is applied to the problem of periodic heterostructure with abrupt interfaces and discontinuous mass distribution. In order to determine the most suitable operator ordering, numerical results for interband and intersubband transition energies are compared with experimental data for various GaAs/AlxGa1-xAs superlattices and quantum wells. The ordering- related energy shift as a function of structural parameters (well thickness, barrier thickness and height) is investigated. We find that variation of kinetic energy operator ordering can cause transition energy shift exceeding 40 meV. The model with (alpha) = 0 and (beta) = -1 consistently produces the best fit to experimental results.
Three-dimensional electric-thermal-optical numerical simulator is developed and applied to model group-III-nitride-based intracavity-contacted vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) with InGaN multi-quantum-well active region. The optical model based on the effective frequency method is combined with electrical-thermal simulator using the control volume method. Isothermal (pulsed regime imitation) and CW modes of operation are calculated over a range of voltages, covering sub-threshold spontaneous emission and lasing emission. Effects of current crowding at the active-region periphery are examined, and in particular an impact on mode profiles of spatial hole burning superimposed on nonuniform gain distribution is studied. In order to reduce the current crowding and provide more uniform gain distribution within the active region, a semitransparent p-side contact design is proposed.
Kinetics of AlAs steam oxidation process is investigated theoretically in cylindrically symmetric mesa structures. Under the assumption of a steady-state process, compact analytical formulae are obtained for time evolution of the oxidation front and for the oxidation rate. Values of main oxidation process parameters are extracted from existing experimental data for T = 350 °C and the layer thickness d = 250 nm. The oxidation rate is found to first decrease from its initial value of B/A and remain almost constant for a large range of intermediate sizes of unoxidized region. When the unoxidized region becomes very small, a rapid increase in this rate up to the value of B/[A(1-β)] is predicted. This renders the process control of fabricating miniature oxide apertures with diameters < 2 μm extremely difficult. Comparison with 1D model of oxidation process in cartesian geometry reveals significant differences in time evolution of the oxidation front. Understanding these differences is important for achieving a good control of the oxidation process in cylindrical structures.
Experimental data on photoluminescence of various bulk and quantum-well epitaxial InGaN/GaN structures grown by MOCVD are interpreted in terms of a band-tail model of inhomogeneously broadened radiative recombination. The anomalous temperature-induced blue spectral is shown to result from band-tail recombination under non-degenerate conditions. Significant differences are observed between epilayers grown on sapphire substrates and on GaN substrates prepared by the sublimination method, with no apparent evidence of band tails in homoepitaxial structures, indicating their higher crystalline quality.
A versatile electro-thermal and optical numerical simulation tool has been developed that can handel various types of vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser designs. As an example, we consider a cylindrically symmetric top-emitting mesa laser with an oxide window. The control-volume-based model provides spatial distributions of carrier density in the active region plane as well as electrical potential, current density and temperature distributions in the entire device. We focus our attention on current redistribution processes, and find out that the current crowding effect is strongly affected by the presence of oxide window. In addition to the geometry-related crowding, we describe the current self-distribution (CSD) effect related to spatially non-uniform stimulated recombination. The CSD is shown to counteract the spatial hole-burning caused by carrier consumption through intense stimulated emission.
Several vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) structures are investigated by means of 3D steady-state electrical-thermal-optical numerical modeling. Electrical and thermal models are coupled via: (i) heat generation by current passing through the diode; (ii) temperature dependence of the diffusion potential of the junction; and (iii) temperature dependence of the bulk resistivity of passive material at both sides of the junction. Optical waveguide model is coupled to electrical-thermal model through position-dependent carrier recombination lifetime and temperature-dependent refractive-index. Simulation is performed for cylindrically symmetric two-sided oxide- confined intracavity-contact VCSELs. For comparison purposes, numerical data are acquired for materially identical bottom-emitting mesa laser and p-side intracavity- contact VCSEL. Nonuniformity of the main device characteristics is studied. Several different phenomena are shown to contribute to nonuniformity: (i) current crowding due to device geometry; (ii) current crowding induced by stimulated emission processes; (iii) current spreading related to oxide positioning; (iv) temperature related effects.
We discuss theoretical predictions for the gain spectra in GaN-based lasers from the point of view of adequate modeling, aimed at optimization of the laser structure and cavity parameters. The Coulomb enhancement effect is included, and it is shown that it leads to an increase of both the gain cross-section and the threshold current in edge-emitting lasers, due to shortening of carrier lifetime. The minimum threshold current density in such lasers with bulk active regions is estimated to be between 2 and 4 kA/cm2 at room temperature.
GaN/In0.05Ga0.95N/Al0.15Ga0.85N double heterostructures doped with Zn and Si, used in Nichia LEDs, are investigated. Electrical, electroluminescent and photoluminescent properties are presented and discussed. Blue photoluminescence (PL) is analyzed to obtain optical transition parameters (phonon coupling strength and zero-phonon line position) involved in formation of the impurity-related emission band. With a minor modification of parameters for Zn centers in GaN, a satisfactory fit is achieved for PL spectra.
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