Mode-locking in broad-area semiconductor lasers enhanced by picosecond-pulse injection

We present combined experimental and theoretical investigations of the picosecond emission dynamics of broad-area semiconductor lasers (BALs). We enhance the weak longitudinal self-mode-locking that is inherent to BALs by injecting a single optical 50-ps pulse, which triggers the output of a distinc...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:IEEE journal of selected topics in quantum electronics 2004-09, Vol.10 (5), p.968-973
Main Authors: Kaiser, J., Fischer, I., Elsasser, W., Gehrig, E., Hess, O.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Broad-area semiconductor lasers (BALs)
Laser mode locking
Laser modes
Laser theory
mode-locking
Nonlinear optics
Optical pulse generation
Optical pulses
Optical resonators
picosecond pulses
Semiconductor lasers
spatiotemporal dynamics
Spatiotemporal phenomena
Stimulated emission
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Summary:We present combined experimental and theoretical investigations of the picosecond emission dynamics of broad-area semiconductor lasers (BALs). We enhance the weak longitudinal self-mode-locking that is inherent to BALs by injecting a single optical 50-ps pulse, which triggers the output of a distinct regular train of 13-ps pulses. Modeling based on multimode Maxwell-Bloch equations illustrates how the dynamic interaction of the injected pulse with the internal laser field efficiently couples the longitudinal modes and synchronizes the output across the laser stripe. Thus, our results reveal insight into the complex interplay between lateral and longitudinal dynamics in BALs, at the same time indicating their potential for short optical pulse generation.
ISSN:1077-260X
1558-4542
DOI:10.1109/JSTQE.2004.836021