Theoretical analysis of lateral modes in broad-area semiconductor lasers with profiled reflectivity output facets

This paper provides a theoretical analysis of the near-threshold behavior of broad-area lasers with profiled reflectivity output facets. Threshold currents and far-field patterns of the lateral modes are calculated according to two models. The first model assumes that the modes are determined by the effective lateral waveguide, while the second one is based on the modes of an open resonator. Single- and three-stripe mirror configurations have been considered. The main goal of the analysis is to identify the lateral guiding mechanism in such lasers and to assess the influence of the mirror configuration on thresholds for single- and multimode operation and on beam characteristics.