Mode-locked multisegment resonant-optical-waveguide diode laser arrays

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Abstract
The first mode-locked operation of resonant optical waveguide (ROW) semiconductor laser arrays is reported. The well-behaved emission patterns of such arrays allow coupling to external cavities with efficiencies comparable to those achieved by using single-element lasers. Single- and multisegment lasers are employed to achieve active, passive, and hybrid mode-locking. The use of an arrayed gain region is effective in increasing the saturation energies of gain and absorber segments, resulting in high pulse energies. Pulses are generated that have well-suppressed secondary pulsations, with pulsewidths as short as 5.6 ps and peak powers of over 3 W in a collimated beam with a single main lobe.