Distributed talbot filter surface-emitting distributed feedback laser

Abstract

A surface-emitting distributed Talbot filter laser that provides for radiation of energy in in-phase radiating modes to produce improved beam quality. The distributed Talbot filter laser of the present invention comprises a plurality of sets of parallel stripe contacts, wherein adjacent parallel sets of parallel stripe contacts are offset from each other. The laser may optionally employ a phase corrector for reducing sidelobe energy. In addition, the plurality of stripe contacts may each have a relatively large stripe width to increase a near-field fill factor of the laser and thereby reduce sidelobe energy. The gain profile of the laser is patterned using the offset stripe contact design, such that the stripe pattern matches the intensity profile of the preferred in-phase mode. The stripe pattern is comprised of offset parallel arrays of stripes spaced apart by a distance D and having length nD.sup.2 /.lambda., wherein n is the effective index of refraction and .lambda. is the wavelength of the laser radiation in a vacuum. The in-phase radiating mode has a central far-field lobe located on-axis, resulting in a higher radiance laser.