Abstract
This paper reviews applications of diffractive optics to optical resonators using diode laser arrays and widestripe diode-laser amplifiers as the gain medium. The mode profile can be tailored to any desirable shape by proper design of the diffractive optics. By optimizing additional cavity parameters, these resonators can be designed to discriminate against higher-order cavity modes, insuring single-spatial-mode operation. As a first example, we show a diffractive laser mirror designed to excite a uniform-intensity supermode of an AlGaAs laser array. The effect of varying the phase of this array on modal discrimination is studied. In the second example, a laser mirror is designed to produce a super-Gaussian beam profile in a wide-stripe semiconductor laser amplifier. 2.8 watts of diffraction-limited optical power is obtained. (Author)