High-power visible GaAlAs lasers with self-aligned strip buried heterostructure

Transverse-mode-stabilized GaAlAs high-power visible lasers have been developed in such a way as to have a self-aligned strip buried heterostructure. Analysis of their waveguide properties shows that asymmetric AlAs composition in cladding layers, as well as a thin active layer, are important for increasing optical spot size and stabilizing the transverse mode. Lasers with such a waveguide structure operate in the fundamental transverse mode up to an output power as high as 30 mW, and at a lasing wavelength of around 780 nm under cw operation. In addition, fundamental transverse mode operation up to 75 mW under cw conditions has been achieved with optimization of facet reflectivities.