The problem with beam quality for semiconductor laser

Abstract A new parameter for evaluating beam quality of semiconductor lasers is analyzed. In evaluating beam quality of semiconductor lasers, the shortcomings of M 2 factor are discussed and its limitations are pointed out at the same time. Moreover, some important aspects of the beam quality factor are discussed. The main factors to influence collimating the beam of semiconductor lasers are analyzed. In this paper, our results clarify the conclusion: the new propagation parameter is more suited to describe the beam quality of semiconductor laser to M 2 factor.