Phase locked narrow zinc diffused stripe laser arrays

Phase locked operation of an array of narrow diffused stripe conventional double heterostructure laser elements grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition is reported. Six-element arrays (length 356 μm) show threshold currents of 33 mA per stripe and peak power outputs of at least 160 mW per facet with total external differential quantum efficiencies of 33%. Complex near-field patterns are shown which result from two opposing mechanisms involved in guiding of the lateral modes. Three major lobes in far-field patterns, which correspond to expected patterns for the lateral modes of gain guided arrays, are described.