Non-Hermitian engineering of single mode two dimensional laser arrays

Area of Science:

• Photonics and Laser Technology
• Quantum Optics
• Materials Science

Background:

• Two-dimensional (2D) laser arrays are crucial for high-power laser applications.
• Achieving single supermode operation in such arrays remains a significant challenge.
• Existing methods often lack scalability or broad applicability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a new scheme for achieving single supermode operation in 2D laser arrays.
• To demonstrate a method for suppressing unwanted supermodes in laser arrays.
• To provide a generalizable technique applicable to various laser platforms.

Main Methods:

• Introducing optical coupling between the laser array and lossy pseudo-isospectral chains of photonic resonators.
• Tailoring the spectrum of the discrete reservoir to suppress higher-order supermodes.
• Utilizing Householder transformation and discrete supersymmetry for spectral engineering.

Main Results:

• Successful suppression of all supermodes except the fundamental one in the laser array.
• Demonstration of a method to control the spectral properties of coupled photonic systems.
• Theoretical framework for achieving single supermode operation through spectral engineering.

Conclusions:

• The proposed scheme offers a viable route to single supermode operation in 2D laser arrays.
• The technique is versatile and can be applied to Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser (VCSEL) arrays and photonic crystal laser arrays.
• This work advances the design principles for coherent and high-performance laser arrays.