Phases which is coupled to the semiconductor laser - array using lie close waveguide with a negative refractive index.

摘要

A semiconductor laser diode array in which the lasing elements are formed as parallel negative-index waveguides, to provide operation at higher powers and in one of two stable array modes. Lasing in interelement regions, between the lasing elements, is suppressed by the inherently low transverse optical confinement factor provided by high- index semiconductor material in the interelement regions, and may be further suppressed by the use of an active layer that extends only through the lasing elements and not through the interelement regions. A desired array mode may be selected by the use of a structure favoring 0. degree.-phase-shift array modes, such as a wide-waveguide interferometric structure. Both liquid-phase epitaxy (LPE) and metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) processes may be used in fabrication of the device.