Real-time spectrally-resolved imaging of the transverse modes in broad area diode lasers

We demonstrate a simple system which is capable of resolving and imaging, in real time, the lateral modes of a multimode broad area diode laser. This technique enables direct characterization of the intensity distribution of each mode of the laser and differs from prior work in that it provides both high spectral resolution (<; 3pm) and real-time imaging. This will allow for the first time direct observation of the dynamics of closely spaced lateral modes of in high power broad area diode lasers.