Modeling of spatial dynamics in vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser arrays

Two-dimensional arrays of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) are important for producing high-power light and for tailoring the far-field intensity distribution for applications. Complex spatial dynamics have been observed experimentally when the injected current is high with the laser output jumping between different mode patterns. This jumping was attributed to spatial hole burning. In this paper, numerical simulations of the spatial dynamics of the interactions between array elements is presented. The model can account for the effects of spatial hole burning.