Single-frequency, single-spatial-mode ROW-DFB diode laser arrays

Single-frequency, stable single-spatial-mode operation from large-aperture (40-60 μm) index-guided devices is demonstrated from resonant antiguided phase-locked InGaAs-InGaP-GaAs diode-laser arrays incorporating 2nd-order distributed-feedback gratings (i.e., ROW-DFB arrays). The devices operate in a single-spatial-mode up to 3.6×threshold, and truly single-mode (i.e., single-spatial-mode and single-frequency) up to 2×threshold, For 40 (60)-μm-aperture 10-element arrays, the beam pattern is in-phase and diffraction-limited with 70% (75%) of the power residing in the main lobe. Single-frequency operation is obtained from 9640-9652 /spl Aring/, over a temperature range of approximately 20/spl deg/C, side-mode suppression ratios /spl ges/20 dB are recorded up to 2×threshold.