Abstract

Recently the eigenmodes of phase-locked semi-conductor laser arrays (supermodes) have been calculated by solving the wave equation of the arrays (for example, using the coupled-mode formalism¹). Here we combine self-consistently the coupled-mode formalism with the rate equation solution,² thus taking into account gain saturation effects³ and providing a higher accuracy modal analysis. The solution method Is outlined in Fig. 1. The need for this method of solution can be justified from the following argument. Even when we start with a nominally uniform array, the light intensity in the various channels will not be uniform but will vary according to the supermode profile. As a consequence, the carrier density—and thus the complex propagation constant—will be modified. The modified waveguide structure of the array will yield a modified set of eigenmodes, whose intensity distribution is different from the original one.

© 1986 Optical Society of America