Analysis of symmetric Y-junction laser arrays with uniform near-field distribution

The analysis of a Y-junction laser array is presented. It is shown that the lowest-order cavity mode of this array has the lowest threshold gain and is thus preferentially excited. This mode has a uniform near-field distribution. Compared with the sinusoidal near-field distribution of the supermodes of the evanescently coupled laser arrays, this uniformity not only can delay the onset of the spatial-hole burning, which is the source of unstable far-field characteristic at high power level, it also allows for higher total power output before catastrophic mirror damage.