This thesis presents a survey of the present state of the art of VCSELs; a systematic investigation of the various effects limiting present VCSELs; a catalogue of solutions to overcome present limits; detailed progress in modelling, fabricating and testing the most advanced VCSELs at the two commercially most important wavelengths.

Systematically surveying the state of the art in vertical cavity surface emitting lasers, this thesis examines their present limitations as well as offering a catalogue of solutions through modeling, fabricating and testing at commercially crucial wavelengths.