Visualization of spatial structure of optical modes in half-disk lasers

The modal structure of half-disk lasers emitting in the middle IR-range was investigated. Scanning probe microscopy was used to map the intensity of optical radiation on the cleavages of half-disk lasers. The stability of optical modes in a half-disk lasers was studied by the geometric optics method of Poincare surface of section. It is shown that the deviation of the cleavage plane from the center of the disk leads to a rapid decrease in the number of stable spatial modes. (paper)