Mode coupling in angled facet semiconductor optical amplifiers and superluminescent diodes

The modal reflectivity of an angled facet has been calculated for index-guided devices when the fundamental mode excites various higher order modes at the facet. The calculations were carried out for waveguide widths ranging from 2 to 20 mu m for various lateral index steps and at wavelengths of 834, 1300, and 1550 nm. Plots from these calculations can be used to determine the appropriate facet angles to obtain a given modal reflectivity and optimize the design of optical amplifiers and superluminescent diodes.>