Chirped photonic crystal for spatially filtered optical feedback to a broad-area laser

Chirped photonic crystal for spatially filtered optical feedback to a broad-area laser

C Brée¹, D Gailevičius², V Purlys², G G Werner^3,4, K Staliunas^3,5, A Rathsfeld¹, G Schmidt¹ and M Radziunas¹

¹ Weierstrass Institute, Mohrenstrasse 39, D-10117 Berlin, Germany, ² Laser Research Center, Vilnius University, Sauletekio Ave. 10, 10222 Vilnius, Lithuania, ³ Departament de Fisica, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, E-08222 Terrassa, Spain, ⁴ Monocrom S.L., C/Vilanoveta, 6, E-08800 Vilanova i la Geltrú, Spain, ⁵ Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats, Passeig Lluis Companys 23, E-08010 Barcelona, Spain

Abstract

We derive and analyze an efficient model for reinjection of spatially filtered optical feedback from an external resonator to a broad area, edge emitting semiconductor laser diode (DL). Spatial filtering is achieved by a chirped photonic crystal, with variable periodicity along the optical axis and negligible resonant backscattering. The optimal chirp is obtained from a genetic algorithm, which yields solutions that are robust against perturbations. Exemplary numerical simulations of the composite system with our optoelectronic solver indicate that spatially filtered reinjection can enhance lower-order transversal optical modes in the DL and, consequently, improve the spatial beam quality.

This is the Accepted Manuscript version of an article accepted for publication in Journal of Optics.  IOP Publishing Ltd is not responsible for any errors or omissions in this version of the manuscript or any version derived from it.  The Version of Record is available online at https://doi.org/10.1088/2040-8986/aada98