Demonstration of monolithic, grating-surface-emitting laser master oscillator-cascaded power amplifier array

The design, fabrication, and performance characteristics of a monolithic grating-surface-emitting master-oscillator-cascaded-power-amplifier laser array are reported. Light output from the amplifier chain was obtained using grating output couplers after each amplifier section. Power outputs of 80-100 mW per amplifier were measured, while the spectral purity of the master oscillator was maintained. The operating characteristics of these laser arrays demonstrate that the spectral characteristics determined by the laser oscillator and power control provided by the amplifier sections are independent.<
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