Observations of photon localization in disordered arrays of coupled vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers

Summary form only given. We present an experimental study of phase locking in one- to two-dimensional deliberately disordered VCSEL arrays. They represent a model for photonic lattices, in which photon localization effects can be studied quantitatively. Understanding the behavior of such disordered systems is also essential to improve coupled-array devices, because inhomogeneous wafer material or processing imperfections fundamentally limit phase locking in one- to two-dimensional coupled arrays of semiconductor lasers.