A broad-spectrum laser for use in a MEMS laser scanning display device is provided. In one example, the broad-spectrum laser includes a laser diode emitter with plural quantum wells each having a different spectral peak. In another example, the broad-spectrum laser includes a laser diode emitter with a tunable absorber to achieve a broadened emissions spectrum. In another example, the broad-spectrum laser includes a laser diode emitter array having plural individual emitters with different spectral peaks.

A structure includes a semiconductor support, a semiconductor region overlying the semiconductor support, a silicon nitride layer surrounding and straining the semiconductor region, and a metal foot separating the silicon nitride layer from the semiconductor support. The semiconductor region includes germanium. The semiconductor region can be a resonator of a laser or a waveguide.

An edge-emitting semiconductor laser and a method for operating a semiconductor laser are disclosed. The edge-emitting semiconductor laser includes an active zone within a semiconductor layer sequence and a stress layer. The active zone is configured for being energized only in a longitudinal strip perpendicular to a growth direction of the semiconductor layer sequence. The semiconductor layer sequence has a constant thickness throughout in the region of the longitudinal strip so that the semiconductor laser is gain-guided. The stress layer may locally stress the semiconductor layer sequence in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal strip and in a direction perpendicular to the growth direction. A refractive index of the semiconductor layer sequence, in regions which, seen in plan view, are located next to the longitudinal strip, for the laser radiation generated during operation is reduced by at least 210.sup.4 and by at most 510.sup.3.

A quantum dot (QD) laser comprises a semiconductor substrate and an active region epitaxially deposited on the semi-conductor substrate. The active region includes a plurality of barrier layers and a plurality of QD layers interposed between each of the plurality of barrier layers. A net compressive strain associated with the plurality of QD layers is maintained below a maximum allowable strain to prevent formation of misfit dislocations within the active region of the QD laser.

Provided is a vertical cavity surface emitting laser diode (VCSEL) with low compressive strain DBR layer, including a GaAs substrate, a lower DBR layer, a lower spacer layer, an active region, an upper spacer layer and an upper DBR layer. The lower or the upper DBR layer includes multiple low refractive index layers and multiple high refractive index layers. The lower DBR layer, the lower spacer layer, the upper spacer layer or the upper DBR layer contains Al.sub.xGa.sub.1-xAs.sub.1-yP.sub.y, where the lattice constant of Al.sub.xGa.sub.1-xAs.sub.1-yP.sub.y is greater than that of the GaAs substrate. This can moderately reduce excessive compressive strain due to lattice mismatch or avoid tensile strain during the epitaxial growth, thereby reducing the chance of deformation and bowing of the VCSEL epitaxial wafer or cracking during manufacturing. Additionally, the VCSEL epitaxial layer can be prevented from generating excessive compressive strain or tensile strain during the epitaxial growth.

Disclosed is an optically pumped vertical cavity laser structure operating in the mid-infrared region, which has demonstrated room-temperature continuous wave operation. This structure uses a periodic gain active region with type I quantum wells comprised of InGaAsSb, and barrier/cladding regions which provide strong hole confinement and substantial pump absorption. A preferred embodiment includes at least one wafer bonded GaAs-based mirror. Several preferred embodiments also include means for wavelength tuning of mid-IR VCLs as disclosed, including a MEMS-tuning element. This document also includes systems for optical spectroscopy using the VCL as disclosed, including systems for detection concentrations of industrial and environmentally important gases.

Disclosed is an optically pumped vertical cavity laser structure operating in the mid-infrared region, which has demonstrated room-temperature continuous wave operation. This structure uses a periodic gain active region with type I quantum wells comprised of InGaAsSb, and barrier/cladding regions which provide strong hole confinement and substantial pump absorption. A preferred embodiment includes at least one wafer bonded GaAs-based mirror. Several preferred embodiments also include means for wavelength tuning of mid-IR VCLs as disclosed, including a MEMS-tuning element. This document also includes systems for optical spectroscopy using the VCL as disclosed, including systems for detection concentrations of industrial and environmentally important gases.

A nitride semiconductor laser device includes an n-type semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a p-type semiconductor layer which are formed in this order on a nitride semiconductor substrate, and by using crystal stress in the n-type semiconductor layer, the laser device is allowed to have two or more light-emitting points emitting light with different peak wavelengths in the active layer. A method for producing a nitride semiconductor laser device includes a step of forming an n-type semiconductor layer on a nitride semiconductor substrate, a step of forming an active layer on the n-type semiconductor layer, and a step of forming a p-type semiconductor layer on the active layer. In the step of forming the n-type semiconductor layer, the n-type semiconductor layer is formed so as to produce a stress difference in a portion of the n-type semiconductor layer.

An optical device has a gallium and nitrogen containing substrate including a surface region and a strain control region, the strain control region being configured to maintain a quantum well region within a predetermined strain state. The device also has a plurality of quantum well regions overlying the strain control region.

A nitride light emitter includes: a nitride semiconductor light-emitting element including an Al.sub.xGa.sub.1-xN substrate (0x1) and a multilayer structure above the Al.sub.xGa.sub.1-xN substrate; and a submount substrate on which the nitride semiconductor light-emitting element is mounted. The multilayer structure includes a first clad layer of a first conductivity type, a first light guide layer, a quantum-well active layer, a second light guide layer, and a second clad layer of a second conductivity type which are stacked sequentially from the Al.sub.xGa.sub.1-xN substrate. The multilayer structure and submount substrate are opposed to each other. The submount substrate comprises diamond. The nitride semiconductor light-emitting element has a concave warp on a surface closer to the Al.sub.xGa.sub.1-xN substrate.