Gec-marconi Limited

Oclaro Technology Limited

Peter John Williams

Stephen K Jones

David James Robbins

Mark Cunnigham Farries

Jan Jozef Lewandowski

An optical waveguide arrangement is provided which comprises an active ridge waveguide structureformed by etching of a semiconductor substrate. There is also provided an auxiliary waveguide-like structureformed on the substrate adjacent the active ridge waveguide structureto control the etched profile of the active waveguide structure. The arrangement of the auxiliary structureon the substrate controls the etched profile over the cross-section of the active waveguide structureand along the length of the active waveguide structure. Advantageously, this arrangement reduces or eliminates the disadvantages associated with etch-process induced asymmetries in the shape of closely spaced waveguides.

Optical waveguide arrangements comprising an auxiliary waveguide-like structure

The array is highly suitable for producing a spacially wide output &ldquo;beam&rdquo; (comprising a number of individual beams). It suffers less from problems of hotspots and filamentation since each tapered laser supports a limited number of modes, or even a single mode. Therefore it produces a semiconductor laser which is especially suitable for pumping of other lasers and to be used in materials processing.

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East Hunsbury, United Kingdom

Peter John Williams