Design optimization of ARROW-type diode lasers

Antiresonant reflecting optical wavelength (ARROW)-type diode lasers have been optimized for high-power, single-spatial-mode operation. Calculated modal behavior predicts strong intermodal discrimination with low loss for the fundamental ARROW mode. Single-lobe far-field operation is obtained only when the high-index reflecting (antiresonant) cladding layers correspond to an optical thickness of lambda /sub 1/ (m+3/4), where lambda is the lateral (projected) wavelength of the leaky wave in the high-index layers, and m is an integer (m=0, 1,. . .). Experimental results include stable, single-spatial mode operation to 500-mW peak pulsed power and 300-mW CW power at an emission wavelength of 0.98 mu m. >