Semiconductor laser with tapered-rib adiabatic-following fiber coupler for expanded output-mode diameter

Author

Vawter, G.A. ; Smith, R.E. ; Hou, H. ; Wendt, J.R.

Author_Institution

Sandia Nat. Labs., Albuquerque, NM, USA

Volume

9

Issue

4

fYear

1997

fDate

4/1/1997 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

425

Lastpage

427

Abstract

A new expanded-mode AlGaAs diode laser with reduced far-field divergence and 0.9 dB single-mode optical fiber coupling loss is demonstrated. This new laser achieves a two-dimensional (2-D) expansion of the fundamental output mode with a rib waveguide tapered in only one dimension. Stable fundamental-mode operation with a narrow, 5.7/spl deg/ by 7.40 full-width-at-half-maximum far-field divergence is observed well above lasing threshold. Tapered waveguide dimensions are compatible with conventional optical lithographic techniques, making this device suitable for mass production.

Keywords

III-V semiconductors; aluminium compounds; gallium arsenide; laser modes; laser stability; optical fibre couplers; photolithography; quantum well lasers; rib waveguides; waveguide lasers; 2D fundamental output mode expansion; AlGaAs; MQW lasers; above lasing threshold; expanded output-mode diameter; far-field divergence; mass production; optical lithographic techniques; reduced far-field divergence; rib waveguide; semiconductor laser; single-mode optical fiber coupling loss; stable fundamental-mode operation; tapered waveguide dimensions; tapered-rib adiabatic-following fiber coupler; Diode lasers; Fiber lasers; Laser modes; Optical coupling; Optical fiber couplers; Optical fiber losses; Optical fibers; Optical waveguides; Semiconductor lasers; Waveguide lasers;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Photonics Technology Letters, IEEE

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1041-1135

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/68.559376

Filename

559376