Optical data processing apparatus using vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) device with large oxide-aperture

摘要

An optical data processing apparatus includes a light source, an optical system that concentrates light from the light source to an optical data storage medium, and a mechanism that scans the concentrated laser light on the optical data storage medium, the light source includes at least one Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser (VCSEL) device that emits laser light, the at least one VCSEL device includes an active region and a current-confined portion (32) between first (12) and second (22) mirrors that form a vertical resonator structure, and an opening (34) having a diameter equal to or larger than about 4 micrometers is formed in the current-confined portion for applying current.