Far-field distribution of semiconductor phase-locked arrays with multiple contacts

Experimental results of far-field patterns of semiconductor laser arrays with multiple contacts are reported. It is found that, by tailoring the distribution of the currents through the array elements, narrow single-lobe patterns¿which are more useful in most applications¿can be obtained from arrays that usually operate in a double-lobe mode. A diffraction-limited 1.8°-wide far-field pattern was obtained from a three-element array.