We outline physical models and simulations for suppression of self-focusing and filamentation in large aperture semiconductor lasers. The principal technical objective is to generate multi-watt CW or quasi-CW outputs with nearly diffraction limited beams, suitable for long distance free space transmission, focusing to small spots or coupling to single mode optical fibres. The principal strategies are (a) optimization of facet damage thresholds, (b) reduction of the linewidth enhancement factor which acts as the principal nonlinear optical coefficient, and (c) design of laterally profiled propagation structures in lasers or amplifiers which suppress lateral reflections.

Topics
Diffraction optics, Nonlinear optics, Optical fibers, Laser physics, Semiconductor lasers, Laser plasma interactions
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© 2000 American Institute of Physics.
2000
American Institute of Physics
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