Single-mode output power enhancement of an extended cavity broad-area laser diode by an intracavity photorefractive crystal

Abstract : Brightness improvement of high-power semiconductor lasers can be achieved by placing a broad-area laser diode, used as a pure optical amplifier, in an extended cavity. We report the modal behavior of an extended cavity which contains a photorefractive crystal. The dynamic holographic medium that plays the role of a spatial and spectral filter acts on the transverse and axial structure of the extended cavity modes and improves the single-mode operating range of the laser. An enhancement of the brightness in single-mode operation by a factor of seven has been experimentally observed thanks to the intracavity photorefractive crystal.