Abstract

Recently, a new class of index-guided diode laser arrays has been reported¹ which shows sig- niticant promise for stable fundamental-mode operation at high power. These devices are distinguished primarily by their large index step for defining the individual waveguides (0.05) and their operation on a class of modes which have been termed leaky modes due to their tendency toward excessive radiation loss. To date a few such devices have been fabricated,¹³־ and theoretical work has begun.³ Many unanswered questions remain, however, concerning the operation of these devices, particularly with regard to their mode selectivity at high power levels.

© 1989 Optical Society of America