Multi-mode self-pulsation in laser diodes with epitaxially integrated saturable absorbers: mode competition and carrier dynamics

The paper presents spectrally resolved measurements and theoretical predictions of self-pulsating output in multiple longitudinal mode laser diodes. The variation in behaviour between the peak-gain mode and its satellite modes is seen to be due to the interaction of the optical field with the carrier reservoir. A measure of the carrier dynamics in the gain section is obtained by measuring the optical power between a pair of optical modes, an approach that is verified by comparison with results of the theoretical model.