4 x 4 fan-out spot generator using GaAs based VCSEL's and diffractive optical element

We report the hybrid operation of a computer generated diffractive optical element, or kinoform, and a vertical cavity surface emitting laser, both elements being GaAs based. Using the laser as the optical input source the binary kinoform is shown to produce a focused 4/spl times/4 fan-out spot array, Diffraction efficiencies of approximately 20% and near diffraction limited spots are obtained for single moded VCSELs. The kinoform is also shown to function successfully for larger, multi-moded, VCSELs without significant performance drop.