INVESTIGATION OF LINEAR AND 2-DIMENSIONAL ARRAYS OF SEMICONDUCTOR-LASER DIODES IN AN EXTERNAL-CAVITY

Linear and two-dimensional arrays of semiconductor laser diodes were i nvestigated in an external cavity with mirrors of various curvatures. The principal characteristics of the output radiation were determined and feedback optimisation of the investigated system with a mirror (fo cal length F = 1 cm) was carried out. This mirror made lasing possible for 6 diodes ire a linear array and for 6 x 5 diodes in a two-dimensi onal array. A mirror with F = 20 cm ensured lasing of 14 x 15 diodes. A study was made of the spatial coherence effects in the external cavi ty. These effects were accompanied by the appearance of an interferenc e pattern in the far-field zone. As experimental confirmation was obta ined of theoretical estimates of the dimensions of a linear array in w hich phase locking is possible.