On the relationship of light-output nonlinearities and light-output spikes in proton-bombarded stripe-geometry double-heterostructure (Al,Ga)As lasers

Abstract

By using a fast photodetector and a simple spatial filtering technique, the relationship between the optical spike which frequently appears at the leading edge of a pulsed‐GaAs‐laser response and the optical nonlinearities called kinks has been investigated. It is suggested that the spike can be viewed consistently as a transition period during which the lasing mode distortion, which has been previously associated with kinks, occurs. It is the time taken for the kink to become established. During the spike, light emisson occurs with a spatial and angular intensity distribution consistent with the lasing which would be appropriate if the kink did not exist. It is shown that the experimental technique can also be used to investigate sustained laser optical‐intensity oscillations (pulsations).