nLIGHT, Inc.
LARGE OPTICAL CAVITY (LOC) LASER DIODE HAVING QUANTUM WELL OFFSET AND EFFICIENT SINGLE MODE LASER EMISSION ALONG FAST AXIS

Abstract:

Laser diodes are configured to suppress lasing of a first and higher order modes along a fast axis of an optical beam emitted by the laser diode. An optical cavity is defined by a p-side of the laser diode, an n-side of the laser diode, and an active region located between the p- and n-sides. The n-side has an n-waveguide layer forming at least a portion of a waveguide having a quantum well offset towards the p-side. According to some embodiments, double cladding layers out-couple higher order modes. According to other embodiments, double waveguides (e.g., symmetric and asymmetric) reduce gain applied to higher order modes.