Simulations of the optical properties of broad-area edge-emitting semiconductor lasers at 1060 nm based on the PBC laser concept

The design principles of multi-stripe edge-emitting lasers based on the photonic band crystal (PBC) laser concept are evaluated numerically. The concept is based on a waveguide with a thick quasi-periodic sequence of alternating high- and low-index layers allowing mode expansion across the whole layer sequence. Effective ways to filter out higher-order modes via control of the confinement and leakage are demonstrated as well as enhanced lateral mode selectivity of multi-stripe lasers by changing their etching profile. Thus, for proper epitaxial and lateral design PBC lasers have an enormous potential to provide high-power/brilliance single-mode radiation with broad-area output spot size and nearly circular narrow far-field pattern.