SURFACE-MODE COUPLING IN GAAS ALGAAS LASER-DIODES - A NOVEL CONCEPT FOR A SINGLE LASER MODE EMISSION/

We demonstrate a novel concept for a mode selection mechanism in surfa ce emitting laser diodes. This concept is based on a strong coupling p rocess between the laser mode and a surface mode on top of the laser d iode. The mode selection mechanism is the result of a strong feedback from the surface mode into the laser diode. Nearly single-modelike emi ssion spectra are achieved from surface emitting GaAs/AlGaAs laser dio des and qualitatively explained by a model based on ray optics. The ma in advantage of this type of laser diode is its simple fabrication and the possibility of adjusting the desired wavelength independent of th e growth process by external technological parameters. (C) 1995 Americ an Institute of Physics.