40-mW 650-nm distributed feedback lasers

Using a buried second-order grating in a single-mode GaInP-AlInP laser structure, we obtain single-spatial- and longitudinal-mode operation at 652 nm. Over 40-mW continuous wave (CW) is obtained at room temperature (RT), with efficiencies and far fields comparable to conventional Fabry-Perot lasers. The devices are continuously tunable with current and temperature and exhibit no mode hops, and thus should be useful for applications where short wavelength and longitudinal mode stability is required, such as spectroscopy, interferometry, or optical storage.