Abstract

Single-mode high-power cw diode lasers are ideal sources for long-distance optical communications and signal processing applications. We have previously presented a mode-stabilized laser: the constricted double-heterojunction (CDH) laser¹, which operates single-mode (spatially and in frequency) to 10-15 mW cw and with a spot size of 0.6 μm x 3.5 μm (at 1/e² points in intensity). Here, we present the combination of the CDH geometry¹ in the lateral direction with the large-optical-cavity (LOC) geometry^2-4 in the transverse direction (see Fig. 1a). Recently, the LOC concept has also been used for other types of mode-stabilized lasers.^5-7 Our novel device (CDH-LOC) allows single longitudinal and transverse mode operation in a relatively large spot (1.7 μm x 6.5 μm) up to 40 mW cw output power from one facet, at 2.5 times above lasing threshold.

© 1980 Optical Society of America