Title :
Two-dimensional coherent laser arrays using grating surface emission
Author :
Evans, Gary A. ; Carlson, Nils W. ; Hammer, Jacob M. ; Lurie, Michael ; Butler, Jerome K. ; Palfrey, Stephen L. ; Mantea, Roberta ; Carr, Lester A. ; Hawrylo, Frank Z. ; James, Edward A. ; Kaiser, Charles J. ; Kirk, Jay B. ; Reichert, Walter F.
Author_Institution :
David Sarnoff Res. Center, Princeton, NJ, USA
fDate :
6/1/1989 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
The concepts, fabrication, and operating characteristics of monolithic two-dimensional, coherent AlGaAs laser arrays are presented. The arrays consist of 100 (10×10) active elements fabricated from a single-quantum-well graded-index separate-confinement heterostructure laser geometry. A surface relief grating is used for feedback and outcoupling. The elements of the array are index-guided ridge lasers with evanescent or Y coupling in the lateral direction and injection coupling longitudinally. The far field emanating from a 60-μm×5-mm aperture, measures 0.01°×1°. These arrays emit more than 1 W peak power into a 2-Å wavelength interval. By adjusting the drive current to the electrically independent gain sections of these arrays, the angular position of the far-field beam can be steered
Keywords :
III-V semiconductors; aluminium compounds; diffraction gratings; gallium arsenide; gradient index optics; semiconductor junction lasers; 1 W; 2 Å; 2D coherent laser arrays; 60 micron; AlGaAs laser; III-V semiconductor; Y coupling; evanescent coupling; fabrication; far-field beam; feedback; grating surface emission; index-guided ridge lasers; injection coupling; operating characteristics; outcoupling; single-quantum-well graded-index separate-confinement heterostructure laser; surface relief grating; Apertures; Geometrical optics; Gratings; Laser feedback; Optical arrays; Optical coupling; Optical device fabrication; Semiconductor laser arrays; Surface emitting lasers; Wavelength measurement;
Journal_Title :
Quantum Electronics, IEEE Journal of
