Patent attributes
In an illustrative embodiment, a VCSEL comprises a substrate, a first DBR on a first major surface of the substrate, an active region on the first DBR, a second DBR on the active region, and electrically conductive vias that pass through the substrate and provide ohmic contact with the DBRs so that electrical connections to both DBRs are available on the substrate side of the VCSEL. The VCSEL is formed by forming a first DBR on a first major surface of a substrate, forming an active region on the first DBR, forming a second DBR on the active region, thinning the substrate, making a first via hole through the substrate to the first DBR, making a second via hole through the substrate and the first DBR, filling the first via hole with an electrically conducting material to contact the first DBR, filling the second via hole with an electrically conducting material, and coupling the second via hole to the second DBR.
