Dynamic mode interaction in multi-mode laser diodes

Dynamic characteristics of laser diodes are numerically calculated on multi-mode rate equations, including spatial relaxing interaction causing mode competitions or jumps. It is revealed that the interaction effect is classified into three cases [“independent (or inhomogeneous)”, “competition (or intermediate)”, and “monopoly (or ideally homogeneous)”], that an optimum relaxing coefficient value exists to minimize relaxation oscillations in rise and decay transients, and that the optimum value is related to the relaxation period. Calculated results are discussed in comparison with the experimental results.