Semiconductor laser array apparatus with adjustable phase plate
This patent describes a semiconductor laser array apparatus comprising: an array of semiconductor lasers having an emitting facet, the array having a simple geometry favoring oscillation in the antisymmetric array mode; a phase plate having elements of which the spacing matches alternate laser elements in the array, wherein the phase plate includes a plurality of parallel ribs of tapering thickness, whereby the array can be conveniently adjusted by moving the phase plate in a direction parallel to the ribs until the far-field pattern is optimized; and means for securing the phase plate in close proximity to the emitting facet, in registration with the laser elements, to provide a phase shift of 180 degrees to alternate elemental outputs from the array of lasers, whereby the far-field pattern of the array assumes the predominantly single-lobed configuration associated with in-phase laser arrays.
- Assignee:
- TRW Inc., Redondo Beach, CA
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4764929
- OSTI ID:
- 7011682
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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