Semiconductor Lasers – Foton Institut

Contacts: Christophe LEVALLOIS et Cyril PARANTHOËN

The Semiconductor Lasers research theme contributes to the FOTON Institute’s strategic research areas “Photonic Sensors” and “Microwave, THz Photonics and Optical Communications.”thématique de recherche “Lasers à semiconducteurs” s’inscrit dans les axes “Capteurs photoniques” et “Photonique hyperfréquence et THz − Communications optiques” de l’Institut FOTON.

For 40 years, semiconductor laser diodes have become essential in numerous fields, including industry, healthcare, information storage, defense, automotive technologies, and, of course, fiber-optic communications, which were initially the main driving force behind the development of this type of laser. Today, laser diodes remain the focus of intensive research. Thanks to their extremely compact size, they are increasingly integrated into everyday electronic devices, often without users being aware of their presence. A notable example is the facial recognition systems found in modern smartphones, which commonly rely on VCSELs.

The OHM Department conducts research on semiconductor laser devices based on III-V materials, covering both fundamental aspects, such as active-region design, and more technology-oriented developments aimed at introducing new functionalities. Through collaborative projects with French laboratories (LAAS, C2N, IMT Atlantique, and IES) and international partners (EPFL, Tampere University, and Politecnico di Torino), the department has developed innovative vertical-emitting semiconductor lasers, including VCSEL and VECSEL, incorporating InP-based quantum nanostructures such as quantum dots and quantum wires. The team has also contributed to the development of an original technology enabling new wavelength-tuning functionalities. In close collaboration with the DOP Department, FOTON-OHM also investigates the nonlinear optical properties of the active regions of these lasers for applications involving dual-frequency emitters and low-intensity-noise laser sources.

Alongside its research activities on vertical-emitting laser devices such as VCSEL, the OHM Department has maintained strong ties with industry. In recent years, it has notably collaborated with 3SP Technologies, a manufacturer of laser diodes for optical communication applications. This partnership led to the creation of a joint laboratory between 3SP Technologies and the FOTON Institute in 2022, named SMART-FACETS. The initial objective of this collaboration is to develop innovative passivation technologies for 980 nm laser facets. These technologies are expected to support future generations of optical communication components that will be deployed in communication networks over the next 5 to 15 years. This type of collaboration will also be a driving force for the emergence of new topics of common interest between 3SP Technologies and the FOTON Institute.