Narrow-Strip Single-Longitudinal-Mode Laser Based on Periodic Anodes Defined by i-Line Lithography

Abstract

A low-cost regrowth-free narrow-strip single-longitudinal-mode diode laser, based on periodic anodes defined only by i-line lithography is proposed. With the periodic anodes separated by surface insulated grooves acting as a 44th-order gain grating, a high gain contrast is achieved without introducing effective index coupling. The CW output power of the device without facet coatings is up to 100.9 mW/facet at 980.63 nm in single-longitudinal-mode operation with a single facet having a power conversion efficiency of up to 18.6% and a slope efficiency of 0.53 W/A. The highest side-mode suppression ratio is 45 dB with a linewidth below 889 MHz, at 350 mA. The beam parameter product, M ${\,}^{2}$ , in the slow axis is 1.85, achieving a near diffraction-limited beam quality. A novel method for easy surface gratings fabrication is first presented, wherein, 4-μm-width periodic surface grooves, acting as waveguide ridges, are defined once by i-line lithography only without regrowth, nanoscale gratings fabrication, or facet coating. Owing to the low-cost fabrication methods and good performances, our single-longitudinal-mode devices can be used for widespread practical applications.