OPTICAL SELF-PULSING OF JUNCTION LASERS OPERATING CONTINUOUSLY AT ROOM TEMPERATURE

Abstract

Pulsing of the output light intensity as a result of self-induced second-order mode locking is reported for double-heterostructure (DH) stripe-geometry junction lasers operating continuously at room temperature. In comparison with previously reported results for homostructure lasers operating at low temperatures, the self-induced pulsing in DH lasers occurs at a lower frequency and over a greater range of current and temperature. These differences are attributed to the lower dispersion and lower Q of the laser modes due to the increased temperature and not to the difference in laser structure. In addition, new effects associated with transitions of the mode locking from one modal family to another with different transverse spatial distribution are described.