Diffusion and waveguiding effects in twin-stripe injection lasers

The properties of the twin-stripe injection laser are examined as functions of two parameters governing diffusion and waveguiding effects in the device. The carrier diffusion rate, as determined by the ambipolar diffusion coefficient, D, is shown to influence the current range over which lasing action is maintained. The curvature of the nonlinear portion of the light-current characteristic of the device is also changed as D is altered. It is found that the relative strengths of the guiding mechanisms acting upon the optical field further influence the characteristics of the structure.