This course describes the operating principles of semiconductor sources (light emitting diodes, laser diodes, VCSELs, ...), and their specific properties.The existing structures are presented, and their benefits are compared in terms of target applications.

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Introduction
Markets, Applications (LED, LD), History

Photon / electron-hole pairs interactions in a semiconductor
Semiconductor under non-equilibrium conditions
Absorption and emission rates in a direct bandgap semiconductor

LED
I. Description & operation of the device
II. Light vs current
III. Light spectrum
application to white LEDs

Description of a laser diode
The laser cavity
Active layer
Examples: design of a quantum well laser diode
Carrier injection & transverse optical confinement
Manufacturing Technologies

The emission properties of laser diodes
Optical gain in a direct-biased PN junction
Characteristic Popt = f (I)
Properties of the transverse mode
Examples
Spectral properties of the laser emission
Modulation characteristics

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Requirements : Semiconductor Physics, Laser physics, Guided wave optics

Evaluation mechanism : Written exam - 2h

Last Modification : Monday 7 March 2011