Microchip vertical external cavity surface-emitting lasers

In this paper we have demonstrated monolithic "microchip" vertical external-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VECSEL), in which a cavity is formed between the VECSEL semiconductor back mirror and a dielectric mirror coating on the outer surface of the heat spreader, and where pump-induced thermal lensing may provide cavity stability. We have demonstrated stable, high power operation of composite microchip VECSELs in the 850 nm and 980 nm wavelength region. We have achieved >350 mW output power at 850 nm and >2.5 W at 980 nm. These initial results strongly indicate the promise of the microchip VECSELs as a low cost, high power, compact and versatile source of laser light.