Semiconductor laser with lateral light output - has light guide parallel to resonant cavity to extract light with curved portion changing output direction

摘要

The semiconductor laser includes a crystal (10) doped in layers containing an active band (12) in which light amplification takes place. The laser resonator is defined by two cut surfaces (14, 16) at right angles to the direction of the axis of the band. The two faces produced are covered with dielectric material forming reflectors. A passive light guide having a straight section (22) lies parallel with the resonator. It is effectively coupled to the resonator allowing some of the light energy to escape via the guide. The guide has a curved section (24) extending around a right angle leading to a further straight portion (26) which takes light out at right angles to the resonator.