Self-distribution of the current in laser diodes and its possible use for reducing the optical nonlinearity of the active medium

An injection current flowing through a laser diode may become redistributed over the diode cross section in accordance with the local rate of recombination of excess carriers. If the inhomogeneity of the recombination rate is due to stimulated emission of a laser mode, such a redistribution counteracts the spatial hole burning and the mode instability associated with the electron component of the optical nonlinearity of the active medium. A criterion is found for describing the effectiveness of a redistribution of the current which equalises the excess carrier density. An example of a numerical analysis of the profile of the current in a narrow self-focusing channel is given.