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Thermal refraction focusing in planar index-antiguided lasers
Lee W Casperson1, Adam Dittli, Tsing-Hua Her
1Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223, USA.
Optics Letters
|March 19, 2013
Summary
This study explores thermal refraction focusing in planar index-antiguided lasers. Researchers found that laser mode behavior shifts from antiguiding to thermal focusing with increased pumping power.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Laser Physics
- Semiconductor Lasers
Background:
- Planar index-antiguided lasers are crucial for various optical applications.
- Understanding mode behavior under different pumping conditions is essential for laser design.
- Thermal effects can significantly influence laser performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate thermal refraction focusing in planar index-antiguided lasers.
- To develop a theoretical model for combined index antiguiding and thermal focusing.
- To compare theoretical predictions with experimental observations.
Main Methods:
- Developed an analytical model using the zero-field approximation.
- Conducted theoretical analysis of mode behavior at varying pumping powers.
- Performed experimental measurements to validate the model.
Main Results:
- The model accurately describes the transition in mode behavior.
- At low pumping power, the mode is antiguided by the amplifier boundary.
- At high pumping power, thermal focusing causes the mode to narrow.
Conclusions:
- Thermal refraction focusing plays a significant role in index-antiguided lasers.
- The developed model provides a good approximation of experimental results.
- Pumping power is a critical parameter controlling mode confinement in these lasers.
