Mode hopping in external-cavity diode lasers

Abstract

Mode hopping in external-cavity AlGaAs diode lasers has been studied experimentally. Its dependence on the amount of feedback and the external-cavity round-trip phase has been studied. The results are compared with the predictions of potential well models. As the feedback is increased the results differ considerably from this theory. A qualitative treatment is also presented. © 1996 Optical Society of America.