BROAD-AREA DIODE LASERS WITH LATERALLY CONTROLLED FAR-FIELD PATTERN

摘要

Lateral intensity distribution of the radiation beam emitted by broad-area diode lasers is still difficult to control. Multi-lobed output beam, width of which is dependent on the laser driving current and temperature is the main reason that these lasers are less attractive despite the lower costs of their fabrication than that of the laser arrays. This paper highlites the research effort and more important designs that have been tried to improve the lateral far-field pattern of the broad-area diode lasers. Among them tailored-gain and injection controlled lasers followed by lasers with unstable resonators, external cavity, and with modal reflectors are discussed. Finally, phase-locked controlled filament lasers and lasers with spatially modulated reflectivity of the mirrors are described. The survey ends with conclusion that the more promissing laser configuration will be rather achieved when the concept of the injection controlled lasers in combination with monolithic integration of the "master" and "slave" lasers is applied.