Controlled fundamental supermode operation of phase-locked arrays of gain-guided diode lasers

Journal Article · Sat Sep 15 00:00:00 EDT 1984 · Appl. Phys. Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.95323· OSTI ID:6489459

Kapon, E; Katz, J; Margalit, S; Yariv, A

Uniform semiconductor laser arrays tend to oscillate in a superposition of their supermodes, thus leading to large beam divergence and spectral spread. Discrimination among the supermodes in phase-locked arrays is discussed theoretically. It is shown that supermode discrimination in gain-guided arrays, in favor of the fundamental supermode, is made possible by the near-field interference patterns which result from the complex optical fields of the gain-guided lasers. A fundamental supermode operation is demonstrated, for the first time, in GaAlAs/GaAs gain-guided laser arrays. This is achieved by control of the current (gain) profile across the array by means of individual laser contacts.

• Research Organization: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125
• OSTI ID: 6489459
• Journal Information: Appl. Phys. Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Appl. Phys. Lett.; (United States) Vol. 45:6; ISSN APPLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420300* -- Engineering-- Lasers-- (-1989)
AMPLIFICATION
CONTROL
GAIN
LASERS
MODE CONTROL
OPERATION
OPTICAL MODES
OSCILLATION MODES
SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES
SEMICONDUCTOR LASERS