Coupling of two‐dimensional (2D) vertical‐cavity surface‐emitting lasers (VCSELs) to give a coherent supermode is described. The top metal layer of a stained‐layer InGaAs quantum well VCSEL structure was patterned laterally by depositing various metals with different optical reflectivities. This lateral reflectivity patterning defined a 2D laser array sharing the same ‘‘supercavity’’. It is shown that these 2D arrays oscillate in a stable single, coherent 2D supermode. This was achieved with a simple planar process and without significant deterioration of threshold current and efficiency relative to an equivalent broad‐area VCSEL.
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