Vertical cavity surface emitting laser action of an all monolithic ZnO-based microcavity

We report on room temperature laser action of an all monolithic ZnO-based vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) under optical pumping. The VCSEL structure consists of a 2 lambda microcavity containing eight ZnO/Zn0.92Mg0.08O quantum wells embedded in epitaxially grown Zn0.92Mg0.08O/Zn0.65Mg0.35O distributed Bragg reflectors (DBRs). As a prerequisite, design and growth of high reflectivity DBRs based on ZnO and (Zn,Mg)O for optical devices operating in the ultraviolet and blue-green spectral ranges are discussed. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3533800]