Abstract

In the past, numerous attempts have been made to understand and control the emission characteristics of broad-area diode lasers. We show by both experimental studies and theoretical modeling that the modal emission characteristics of broad-area diode lasers operating in long-pulse or cw conditions are strongly influenced by the effect of junction heating. Moreover, by local modification of the lateral thermal profile in a cw broad-area device, we are able to effect changes in the lateral refractive-index profile and thereby selectively control the modal emission. These studies suggest that lateral index profiling in the structure of broad area lasers may provide an effective means of realizing control of modal emission in these devices.

© 1988 Optical Society of America