Direct Observation of Lateral Carrier Diffusion in Ridge Waveguide InGaNAs Lasers

We present results from measurements of the subthreshold lateral spontaneous emission profile in 1.3-mu m wavelength ridge waveguide InGaNAs quantum-well lasers using a scanning near-field optical microscopy technique. The measurements reveal the presence of significant lateral carrier diffusion which has a profound effect on the temperature dependence of the threshold current. This effect is frequently omitted when the characteristic temperature of the threshold current is considered.