Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
A clad superlattice semiconductor laser (10) comprising a plurality of planar semiconductor layers, one or more of the layers forming an active region (16) for light wave generation and propoga- tion under lasing conditions in a confined optical cavity which includes the active region, a cladding layer (14, 18) formed on adjacent sides of said active region, a supertattice (20) formed as part of at least one of said cladding layers and comprising alternating layers of wells and barriers, impurity-induced disordered regions (30) of the superlattice on adjacent sides of a region to be established for the optical cavity, the disordering providing the regions with a resultant lower refractive index compared with the refractive index of the optical cavity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
A clad superlattice semiconductor laser (10) comprising a plurality of planar semiconductor layers, one or more of the layers forming an active region (16) for light wave generation and propoga- tion under lasing conditions in a confined optical cavity which includes the active region, a cladding layer (14, 18) formed on adjacent sides of said active region, a supertattice (20) formed as part of at least one of said cladding layers and comprising alternating layers of wells and barriers, impurity-induced disordered regions (30) of the superlattice on adjacent sides of a region to be established for the optical cavity, the disordering providing the regions with a resultant lower refractive index compared with the refractive index of the optical cavity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The laser of claim 1, wherein the laser includes two superlattices (30, 60) each superlattice being part of a cladding layer (48) on adjacent major surfaces of the active region, and having impurity-induced disordered regions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The laser of claim 1 or 2, wherein the impurity-induced disordering does not extend into the active region.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The laser of any preceding claim, wherein a cladding layer (18) is formed between the active region and the superiattice, the strength of optical coupling between the active region and the superlattice being controlled by the thickness and composition of the cladding layer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The laser of any preceding claim, wherein the impurity-induced disordering is accomplished by diffusion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The laser of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the impurity-induced disordering is accomplished by implant followed by an anneal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The laser of any preceding claim, wherein current confinement means (28) is formed in the laser.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The laser of claim 7, wherein the current confinement means comprises a proton implant.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The laser of any preceding claim, wherein the superlattice (20) is formed between adjacent cladding layers (18.21) on one side of the active region.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The laser of any preceding claim, wherein the active region is a single active layer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The laser of any one of claims 1 through 8, wherein the active region is a single quantum well.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The laser of any one of claims 1 through 8, wherein the active region is a multiple quantum well.