Hybrid gain/index guided semiconductor lasers and array lasers

Patent · Tue Sep 15 04:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:5887898

Burnham, R D; Paoli, T L; Scifres, D R; Streifer, W

This patent describes a hybrid index/gain guided semiconductor laser comprising a plurality of contiguous semiconductor layers deposited on a substrate. One or more of the layers forms an active region having a lower bandgap and higher index of refraction relative to at least cladding layers immediately adjacent. The active region approximate to a p-n junction when, upon forward biasing via primary current confinement means, permitting carrier recombination in at least one portion and supporting radiation propagation under lasing conditions in an optical cavity established between transverse end facets of the laser beneath the primary current confinement means. The laser has at least two regions of current confinement means. The first of the regions containing the primary current confinement means and comprising a single current confinement stripe and extending from one laser facet toward the second of the regions. The second region has a pair of current confinement stripes parallel but axially offset relative to the axis of the primary current confinement stripe and extending from the other laser facet toward the first region. The axially offset current confinement stripes providing regions of lower refractive index in the laser compared to the region of the optical cavity established there and functioning as an index optical waveguide for the laser.

• Assignee: Xerox Corp., Stamford, CT
• Patent Number(s): US 4694459
• OSTI ID: 5887898
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360601 -- Other Materials-- Preparation & Manufacture
360603 -- Materials-- Properties
42 ENGINEERING
420300* -- Engineering-- Lasers-- (-1989)
CURRENTS
DEPOSITION
DESIGN
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
FABRICATION
GRADED BAND GAPS
JUNCTIONS
LASERS
LAYERS
MATERIALS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
OPTICAL SYSTEMS
P-N JUNCTIONS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
REFRACTIVITY
SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES
SEMICONDUCTOR JUNCTIONS
SEMICONDUCTOR LASERS
SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIALS
SUBSTRATES
WAVEGUIDES