A travelling-wave beam deflector cleave-coupled to a diode laser

A new technique for scanning a diode laser beam is introduced where the beam is deflected in a current-injection-type travelling-wave beam deflector integrated with a diode laser. The deflector, which is formed outside the laser cavity, is cleave-coupled to the cavity. An anti-reflection coating on the deflector output facet suppresses the light returning to the laser. As a result, very smooth deflection of the radiation peak with low background intensity is realized in this device, while retaining high efficiency and low threshold current.