Characterization and Spatial Matching of Laser Diode Beams

Abstract

It is shown that the type of lateral waveguide of a laser diode cannot be determined uniquely based on just the measured magnitude of astigmatism. For a unique determination, the K-factor of Petermann, which characterizes the wavefront curvature at the laser output facet, must be measured as well. In order to determine the type of lateral waveguide, a setup for measuring astigmatic distances in the range 0–200 μm with an error of ±2 μm and a K-factor with an error of 20% was developed. Operational features of the setup were analyzed, and a technique that allows one to minimize the effect of beam ellipticity on the measurement results was found. Using the technique, the optimization of spatial matching of a laser diode with a ring interferometer of the “butterfly” type was accomplished. For transformation of the astigmatic elliptical beam into the axially symmetric mode of the interferometer, we have used an optical system that consists of two cylindrical and one spherical lenses. The algorithm for designing the matching system was developed, and the 85% injection of radiation of a AlGaAs laser diode into the principal mode of a ring interferometer was experimentally demonstrated.