Abstract

To date, most of the characterization and modeling of high-power diode lasers have been done with respect to their spectral, temporal, and power output properties. However, very little has been reported on diode laser phase front properties, and that reported has been only at low-output powers (3 mW).¹ In optical system applications such as optical recording, processing, sensing, satellite-to-satellite communications, and lidar, the phase front aberrations of the diode laser can have a very significant effect on system performance. Furthermore, the nature of diode laser phase front aberrations can provide information on the device waveguide properties, carrier diffusion processes, and optical interactions with the gain medium.

© 1986 Optical Society of America