Temporal dynamics and facet coating requirements of monolithic MOPA semiconductor lasers

Dynamics of temporal instabilities in tapered broad-area InGaAs SQW semiconductor master oscillator/power amplifier lasers are experimentally investigated. Multigigahertz self-pulsations are evident in the optical and temporal spectra along with coupled-cavity modes due to the finite output-facet reflectivity. From a previously developed time-dependent coupled-wave model, it is shown that by adjusting the grating strength in the distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) section of the master oscillator the antireflection facet coating requirements can be relaxed. Increased stable operation at high powers is then possible.