Lateral-longitudinal near field measurements of 10 micrometer broad ridge blue laser diodes

We investigate the lateral near field of blue laser diodes with 10 mu m broad ridges in pulsed conditions. While scanning the near field step by step with the help of a streak camera, we observe complex dynamics due to lateral-longitudinal mode competition, wavelength shifts and lateral mode switching. Additionally, a high-resolution spectrometer enables us to differentiate between the different mode combs which form the longitudinal mode spectrum. We observe filling of the gain volume and a spectral broadening with increasing current, as well as a slight asymmetry and an inhomogeneous lateral mode pattern.