Abstract
This paper reports on a novel design for a high-brightness quantum-well AlGaInP laser-diode system operating at 635 nm. The spatial coherence of two broad area laser diodes is improved using spatial filtering and optical feedback from a narrow mirror stripe on each laser. To increase power, the outputs from the two systems are passively combined using a polarizing beam splitter. The result is a compact system providing a high-brightness beam. The beam-quality parameter is improved in one direction from M-2 = 12 and M-2 = 16 for the two lasers, to M-2 = 2.1 for the combined beam. The other direction of the beam is left unchanged due to its natural high quality with an M-2 value around 1.5. A procedure for efficient coupling of the two lasers into a small core-diameter optical fiber is given. This capability facilitates a wide range of applications including interstitial medical therapies, where delivery of the treatment light through thin optical fibers is essential. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 369-375 |
Journal | Optics Communications |
Volume | 219 |
Issue number | 1-6 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2003 |
Subject classification (UKÄ)
- Atom and Molecular Physics and Optics
Free keywords
- fiber-coupling
- beam quality
- brightness
- laser diodes
- optical feedback