Abstract

Most researchers in semiconductor laser (SL) mode-locking have been concerned with minimizing the pulse width. Good beam quality cw SLs have reached power levels in excess of 100 mW, but the mode-locked SL has produced a few milliwatts at best. We present data and supporting theory which show pulse dynamic limitations in the generation of high average power transform-limited pulses from a mode-locked SL. Our experimental investigations include the study of pulse dynamics as a function of bias current, modulation current, repetition frequency, and cavity de-tuning. In addition, we report on the use of injection seeding techniques to generate high power nearly transform-limited picosecond pulses.

© 1990 Optical Society of America