Amplification and front facet reflectivity of broad area lasers

Publication Type
Journal Article
Year of Publication
2007
Authors
Aviv Keshet
Peter Eugster
Paul Bloudoff
Klappauf, Bruce G.
Madison, Kirk W.
Name of Publication
Opt. Express
Volume
15
Pagination
12344–12355
Date Published
Sep
Entry URL
http://www.opticsexpress.org/abstract.cfm?URI=oe-15-19-12344
DOI
10.1364/OE.15.012344
Keywords
Diode lasers, Laser amplifiers, lasers, Optical amplifiers
Abstract

The effect of front-facet reflectivity on the amplification performance of Broad Area Laser (BAL) diodes in a double-pass configurationis studied experimentally. A method to measure the front facet reflectivities of laser diodes is generalized to BALs. The method is based on fitting a model, with front facet reflectivity as a parameter, to the threshold current vs. external feedback of the diode. Reflectivities of three BAL diodes are measured, and their amplification abilities have been assessed. The tested diodes had amplification factors of 0, 1, and 10 and front facet reflectivities of 12.7 ±1%, 4.6 ±0.4%, and 1.2 ±0.2% respectively. It is concluded that a front facet modal reflectivity of less than 4.6% is necessary for a BAL to function as an amplifier.