Semiconductor optical amplifying media with reduced self-focusin

Details Semiconductor optical amplifying media with reduced self-focusin Semiconductor optical amplifying media with reduced self-focusin

1995-06-23

1997-08-12

Hellner, Mark

Optical: systems and elements

Optical amplifier

Particular active medium

372 44, H01S 300

Patent

active

056571577

ABSTRACT:
A semiconductor light amplifying medium has reduced self-focusing and optical filamentation for providing higher power coherent outputs in broad-area laser and amplifier devices. In one embodiment, a longitudinally inhomogeneous active region has alternating segments of first gain portions and second compensating portions. The compensating portions have a negative self-focusing parameter [.differential.n/.differential.P] and may be light absorbing (negative gain) regions with negative antiguiding factor .alpha. or light amplifying (positive gain) regions with positive antiguiding factor .alpha.. The .alpha.-parameter is defined as the ratio of refractive index change per change in gain, as a function of carrier density. In a second embodiment, the medium may have longitudinally varying peak filament period so that filaments beginning to form in one portion of the active region are subsequently dispersed in a succeeding portion, slowing filament growth. In addition to self-focusing compensation, media with a lower .alpha.-parameter are provided by increasing the barrier height in quantum well active regions, straining or p-doping the active region, or a combination of these methods.

REFERENCES:
patent: Re35215 (1996-04-01), Waarts et al.
patent: 4791647 (1988-12-01), Lindsey et al.
patent: 5095489 (1992-03-01), Nagai et al.
patent: 5101413 (1992-03-01), Botez
patent: 5159604 (1992-10-01), Mehuys et al.
patent: 5172387 (1992-12-01), Fink
patent: 5199038 (1993-03-01), Vahala et al.
patent: 5208822 (1993-05-01), Haus et al.
patent: 5231642 (1993-07-01), Scifres et al.
patent: 5276700 (1994-01-01), Jansen et al.
patent: 5349602 (1994-09-01), Mehuys et al.
patent: 5392308 (1995-02-01), Welch et al.
patent: 5537432 (1996-07-01), Mehuys et al.
Paxton, A.H. et al., "Filament formation in semiconductor gain regions," J. Appl. Phys., vol. 70, No. 6, Sep. 15, 1991, pp. 2921-2925.
Dutta, N.K. et al., "Linewidth enhancement factor in strained quantum well lasers," Appl. Phys. Lett., vol. 56, No. 23, Jun. 4, 1990, pp. 2293-2294.
Green, C.A. et al., "Linewidth enhancement factor in InGaAsP/InP multiple quantum well lasers," Appl. Phys. Lett., vol. 50, No. 20, May 18, 1987, pp. 1409-1410.
Hinton, Kerry, "Optical Carrier Linewidth Broadening in a Traveling Wave Semiconductor Laser Amplifier," IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics, vol. 26, No. 7, Jul., 1990, p. 1176-1182.
Lang, Robert J. et al., "Spontaneous Filamentation in Broad-Area Diode Laser Amplifiers," IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics, vol. 30, No. 3, Mar., 1994, p. 685-694.
Lang, Robert J. et al., "Spatial evolution of filaments in broad area diode laser amplifiers," Appl. Phys. Lett., vol. 62, No. 11, Mar. 15, 1993, pp. 1209-1211.
Manning, Joanne et al., "The Carrier-Induced Index Change in AlGaAs and 1.3 .mu.m InGaAsP Diode Lasers," IEEE Journal of quantum Electronics, vol. QE-19, No. 10, Oct., 1983, pp. 1525-1530.
Schoenfelder, A. et al., "Differential Gain, Refractive Index, and Linewidth Enhancement Factor in High-Speed GaAs-Based MQW Lasers: Influence of Strain and p-Doping," IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, vol. 6, No. 8, Aug. 1994, pp. 891-893.
Vahala, K. et al., "On the linewidth enhancement factor .varies. in semiconductor injection lasers," Appl. Phys. Lett., vol. 42, No. 8, Apr. 15, 1983, pp. 631-633.
Henry, Charles H., "Phase Noise in Semiconductor Lasers," Journal of Lightwave Technology, vol. Lt-4, No. 3, Mar. 1986, pp. 298-311.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Semiconductor optical amplifying media with reduced self-focusin does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Semiconductor optical amplifying media with reduced self-focusin, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Semiconductor optical amplifying media with reduced self-focusin will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-164295