We characterize the beam quality of visible-wavelength GRIN-SCH-SQW la
sers in terms of geometry and driving current. A second-moment-based,
free beam measurement of M2 yields values ranging from near unity on t
he plane parallel to the junction, to near 10 in the perpendicular pla
ne. The M2 values exhibit a dependence on the shape of the L-I charact
eristic. Higher-order moments are used to quantitatively describe the
changes in beam shape as a function of current, and a correlation betw
een the kurtosis and M2 is observed.