Photonic Crystal Laser Diodes with narrowed emission line for DPAL systems

ANTEOS, Inc. proposes to develop new generation of photonic crystal laser diodes with narrowed emission spectrum, improved thermal stability and overall performance for application in diode-pumped alkali vapor lasers (DPAL) systems. Already demonstrated proprietary process will be employed for holographic recording of relief-free gratings and photonic crystal structures with high refractive index contrast in close proximity to gain region of high power laser diodes in order to narrow their emission spectrum, increase spectral brightness and slope efficiency, improve thermal stability and beam quality. In addition, the developed process results in"cleaning"the gain region of laser diode from defects. The proposed technology is simple and cost-efficient because it does not require any change in a standard laser diode manufacturing process. It includes just one additional step of optical recording the photonic crystal structure in the gain region of laser diode chip before mounting it onto a heat sink. In Phase I we will demonstrate feasibility of the proposed technology, characterize the laser structure under optical pump and demonstrate the narrowed emission spectrum. The electrically pumped prototype photonic crystal laser will be developed and fabricated in Phase II of this project with final product delivered to DoD.