A laser array includes a plurality of laser diodes arranged and electrically connected to one another on a surface of a non-native substrate. Respective laser diodes of the plurality of laser diodes have different orientations relative to one another on the surface of the non-native substrate. The respective laser diodes are configured to provide coherent light emission in different directions, and the laser array is configured to emit an incoherent output beam comprising the coherent light emission from the respective laser diodes. The output beam may include incoherent light having a non-uniform intensity distribution over a field of view of the laser array. Related devices and fabrication methods are also discussed.

A broad-spectrum laser for use in a MEMS laser scanning display device is provided. In one example, the broad-spectrum laser includes a laser diode emitter with plural quantum wells each having a different spectral peak. In another example, the broad-spectrum laser includes a laser diode emitter with a tunable absorber to achieve a broadened emissions spectrum. In another example, the broad-spectrum laser includes a laser diode emitter array having plural individual emitters with different spectral peaks.

A broad-spectrum laser for use in a MEMS laser scanning display device is provided. In one example, the broad-spectrum laser includes a laser diode emitter with plural quantum wells each having a different spectral peak. In another example, the broad-spectrum laser includes a laser diode emitter with a tunable absorber to achieve a broadened emissions spectrum. In another example, the broad-spectrum laser includes a laser diode emitter array having plural individual emitters with different spectral peaks.

A laser diode includes a semiconductor structure having an n-type layer, an active region, and a p-type layer. One of the n-type and p-type layers includes a lasing aperture thereon having an optical axis oriented perpendicular to a surface of the active region between the n-type and p-type layers. First and second contacts are electrically connected to the n-type and p-type layers, respectively. The first and/or second contacts are smaller than the lasing aperture in at least one dimension. Related arrays and methods of fabrication are also discussed.

A system includes a waveguide and an edge-emitting laser. The edge-emitting laser is configured to lase coherent light into the waveguide. The edge-emitting laser includes an optical cavity having an active gain section and a passive section. The active gain section is configured to amplify an optical power of light reflecting within the optical cavity. The passive section increases a functional length of the optical cavity such that a total length of the optical cavity reduces fringe interference of the coherent light propagating through the waveguide.

A laser array includes a plurality of laser emitters arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns on a substrate that is non-native to the plurality of laser emitters, and a plurality of driver transistors on the substrate adjacent one or more of the laser diodes. A subset of the plurality of laser emitters includes a string of laser emitters that are connected such that an anode of at least one laser emitter of the subset is connected to a cathode of an adjacent laser emitter of the subset. A driver transistor of the plurality of driver transistors is configured to control a current flowing through the string.

A laser diode includes a semiconductor structure having an n-type layer, an active region, and a p-type layer. One of the n-type and p-type layers includes a lasing aperture thereon having an optical axis oriented perpendicular to a surface of the active region between the n-type and p-type layers. First and second contacts are electrically connected to the n-type and p-type layers, respectively. The first and/or second contacts are smaller than the lasing aperture in at least one dimension. Related arrays and methods of fabrication are also discussed.

A QCL may include a substrate, an emitting facet, and semiconductor layers adjacent the substrate and defining an active region. The active region may have a longitudinal axis canted at an oblique angle to the emitting facet of the substrate. The QCL may include an optical grating being adjacent the active region and configured to emit one of a CW laser output or a pulsed laser output through the emitting facet of substrate.

A system includes a waveguide and an edge-emitting laser. The edge-emitting laser is configured to lase coherent light into the waveguide. The edge-emitting laser includes an optical cavity having an active gain section and a passive section. The active gain section is configured to amplify an optical power of light reflecting within the optical cavity. The passive section increases a functional length of the optical cavity such that a total length of the optical cavity reduces fringe interference of the coherent light propagating through the waveguide.

A QCL may include a substrate, an emitting facet, and semiconductor layers adjacent the substrate and defining an active region. The active region may have a longitudinal axis canted at an oblique angle to the emitting facet of the substrate. The QCL may include an optical grating being adjacent the active region and configured to emit one of a CW laser output or a pulsed laser output through the emitting facet of substrate.