Resonant periodic-gain surface-emitting semiconductor lasers and correlated emission in a ring cavity

A semiclassical theory of a resonant periodic-gain (half-wave spatially periodic-gain segments) laser in the context of a semiconductor medium is presented using an oversimplified picture. Terms arise in the polarization of this periodic-gain medium that lead to enhanced light-matter interaction, doubling the gain coefficient, and enhancing mode-pulling effects. Discussion of the physical processes is extended to include a comparison with the ring-cavity correlated-emission laser, which also utilizes a periodic-gain medium and exhibits a vanishing phase fluctuation between the degenerate counterpropagating modes. A simple physical picture of radiations from a half-wave-periodic, radiating dipole array illustrates the common mechanism and important relationship between these lasers.