A quantificação de recursos florestais é usada para fins diversos nas ciências naturais, e depende da obtenção de dados de campo de forma precisa e rápida, e o inventário florestal tem se valido principalmente de trabalho humano manual para este fim. A tecnologia LiDAR, baseada em sistemas a laser, permite a coleta desses dados por meio da representação tridimensional do ambiente e a geração de informações espacialmente precisas dos objetos que o compõe. O sistema de varredura laser terrestre (terrestrial laser scanning - TLS) aplica essa tecnologia sob abordagem terrestre, e assim pode ser usada na representação 3D de florestas e ambientes naturais. Devido a crescente número de estudos nesse tópico atualmente o sistema TLS é capaz de fornecer métricas florestais básicas com elevada exatidão, como densidade de plantio e diâmetro à altura do peito, além de informações não obtidas pelo inventário florestal padrão, como estimativa da biomassa e índice de área foliar, entre outros. Este trabalho tem por objetivo a avalição da capacidade do sistema TLS em fornecer com exatidão métricas de árvores individuais selecionadas em dois povoamentos florestais localizados no sudeste do Brasil. Árvores de Eucalyptus sp. (n = 6) e Pinus elliottii var. elliottii (n = 5) foram submetidas à varredura e os valores obtidos pelo mapeamento 3D foram comparados com dados medidos em campo manualmente. Os resultados encontrados mostram que o algoritmo empregado na filtragem dos troncos foi eficiente no isolamento dos fustes de árvores individuais até a altura total das árvores amostradas, enquanto que o algoritmo para modelagem do tronco filtrado foi capaz de fornecer medidas de diâmetro até 50% da altura total das amostras. A exatidão das medidas de DAP pelos dados TLS foi de 0,91 cm e 2,77 cm (REQM) para Eucalyptus e Pinus, respectivamente. Os diâmetros ao longo do fuste tiveram mais exatidão no Eucalyptus (REQM = 2,75 cm e r = 0,77) do que no Pinus (REQM = 3,62 cm e r = 0,86), resultados condizentes com os encontrados em literatura. A exatidão da estimativa dos diâmetros diminuiu ao longo do fuste. O autor sugere que a influência de vento forte no momento da varredura pode ter interferido na qualidade das nuvens de pontos em relação a ruídos e na exatidão dos modelos de obtenção de diâmetros. A partir destes resultados conclui-se que, para as características ambientais e parâmetros de varreduras apresentados, o sistema TLS foi capaz de fornecer dados com exatidão aceitável, e mais estudos devem ser conduzidos buscando o entendimento e mitigação de efeitos que podem dificultar a obtenção de dados precisos nos estratos superiores do dossel florestal. / Forest resources assessment is used for diverse purposes on natural sciences, and relies on field data acquisition in fast and precise ways, and forest inventory has been relying mainly on manual human labor for that. LiDAR technology, which is based on a laser system, allows for these data acquisition through 3D representation of surroundings and the generation of espacially precise information about the objetcs within. Terrestrial laser scanning - TLS - applies this technology in a land approach, thus it can be used on the 3D representation of forests and natural scenes. Due to increasing number of studies on this subject nowadays TLS system is capable of giving basic forest metrics with high precision, as for plant density and diameter at breast height, besides information not obtained by standard inventory procedures, as biomass estimation and leaf área index, among others. This work aims the assessment of TLS capability on giving precise metrics of individual trees located at two forest stands in southeastern Brazil. Trees of Eucalyptus sp. (n = 6) and Pinus elliottii var. elliottii (n = 5) were scanned and the numbers obtained by 3D mapping were compared to manually measured field data. The results found show that the algorithms used on trunk filtration were efficient on individual trees stem isolation until total height of measured trees, while the trunk modelling algorithm was capable of giving diameters until 50% of samples total height. The precision of DBH measurements by TLS data was 0,91 cm and 2,77 cm (RMSE) for Eucalyptus and Pinus, respectivelly. Diameters along the stem were more preciselly estimated for Eucalytus trees (RMSE = 2,75 cm and r = 0,77) than for Pinus trees (RMSE = 3,62 cm and r = 0,86), results consistente with literature. The precision of diameters estimation diminished along the stem. The author suggests that the influence of intense wind by the time of scanning can have interfered on cloud point quality in the terms of noises and thus on the precision of diameter estimation modelling. From these results one can conclude that, considering the environmental aspects and scanning parameters presented, TLS system was capable on giving data with acceptable precision, and more studies must be carried searching for understanding and mitigation of effects that can difficult precise data acquisition on upper forest strata.

Xu Chicheng = 光折变掺铁铌酸锂晶体中的二波耦合和光伏空间孤子 / 徐赤诚. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 113-114). / Text in English; abstracts in English and Chinese. / Xu Chicheng = guang zhe bian shan tie ni suan li jing ti zhong de er bo ou he he guang fu kong jian gu zi / Xu Chicheng. / Acknowledgements --- p.i / Abstract --- p.ii / Table of Contents --- p.v / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Background --- p.5 / Chapter 2.1 --- Band Transport Model --- p.5 / Chapter 2.2 --- Two-wave Mixing --- p.9 / Chapter 2.3 --- Fanning --- p.12 / Chapter 2.4 --- Photovoltaic Effect --- p.16 / Chapter 2.5 --- Spatial Solitons --- p.19 / References --- p.22 / Appendix Refractive Index perturbation in LiNb03 crystal --- p.25 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Single Laser Beam Interactions with Fe:LiNb03 Crystals / Chapter 3.1 --- Fe:LiNb03 Crystals --- p.30 / Chapter 3.2 --- Interferometric Studies of Refractive Index Perturbations --- p.32 / Chapter 3.3 --- Fanning --- p.47 / Chapter 3.4 --- Self-defocusing --- p.53 / Chapter 3.5 --- Surface Charge Recombination --- p.58 / References --- p.67 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Photovoltaic Spatial Soliton in Fe:LiNb03 Crystal --- p.69 / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.69 / Chapter 4.2 --- Experimental Setup --- p.73 / Chapter 4.3 --- Results and Discussion --- p.75 / Chapter 4.4 --- Conclusion --- p.82 / References --- p.83 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- Two-wave Mixing in Fe:LiNbO3 Crystals --- p.84 / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.84 / Chapter 5.2 --- Experimental Setup --- p.87 / Chapter 5.3 --- Results and Discussion I - Without Background Beam --- p.89 / Chapter 5.4 --- Result and Discussion II - With Background Beam --- p.96 / Chapter 5.5 --- Origin of Temporal oscillations during TWM in Fe:LiNb03 Crystal --- p.100 / Chapter 5.6 --- Conclusion --- p.108 / References --- p.109 / Chapter Chapter 6 --- Conclusion and Future Outlook --- p.111

For the last 20 years, there has been considerable interest in chiral nematic liquid crystal band edge lasers. The birefringent molecules of chiral nematic liquid crystals form a periodic helical structure, which results in a photonic bandgap for circularly polarised light with the same sense of rotation as the helix. A large increase in effective gain is seen for a fluorescent gain medium within the liquid crystal at the band edges, resulting in lasing. Applications of liquid crystal lasers could include miniature medical diagnostic tools, large-area holographic laser displays, and environmental sensing. The wavelength of emission from dye-doped chiral nematic liquid crystals is highly flexible, with lasers demonstrated across the visible range and near infra-red. This thesis investigates two routes for improving the functionality of chiral nematic liquid crystal lasers, supported by mathematical modelling of expected lasing wavelengths based on reflection and transmission by anisotropic layers. Perovskite is tested as a replacement for fluorescent laser dyes as a gain medium,both in the form of quantum dots dispersed in liquid crystal, and as films placed in liquid crystal structures. It is shown that while the perovskite tested provides some emission, it is not compatible for lasing in these devices, and suggestions for building on these results are made. In-plane switching is tested and developed as a means to achieve tuning of the laser wavelength, demonstrating a continuous wavelength shift of 15 nm, from 600.71 nm to 585.03 nm, over a voltage range of 100 V. This is an improvement on previous tuning in related devices, and may be extended with optimisation of cell thickness,electrode geometry, and initial lasing wavelength. Accurate descriptions of the refractive index profile of the liquid crystal and perovskite are developed and included in mathematical modelling, in addition to descriptions of the wavelength-dependent gain of a laser dye and perovskite. Suggestions for developing this modelling are made, particularly by the inclusion of accurate modelling of the distortion caused by in-plane switching.

本論文旨在利用高分辨激光光譜研究中紅外以及近紅外波段的分子體系。首先在固態氫體系中，我們主要研究其分別位於4 μm 及1.5 μm 的純轉動和振動轉動的W 躍遷（ΔJ=6）。我們搭建了一套全新的差頻激光光譜儀用以研究純轉動的W1(0)躍遷（ΔJ=6）；另外振動轉動W₀(0)躍遷（Δv=1，ΔJ=6）則是用到自行搭建的近紅外二極管激光光譜儀。由於激光光譜的分辨率極高，兩種W 躍遷都觀察到晶體場效應導致的三重分裂結構，我們基於定態激子模型還得到了相應的晶體場常數。另外，我們還研究了兩種W 躍遷的線型、頻率與溫度的關係（溫度在3.8 K 至11.8 K 區間），并基於德拜兩能級弛豫模型對此做出解釋，相信主要是由於晶體內聲子散射所引致的。 / 另外我們還研究了三種含過渡金屬元素的氣態雙原子分子，分別是RuC、IrP和IrB。通過聯用激光消融及超聲射流技術，我們研究這些分子體系在近紅外波段的激光誘導熒光光譜。對於RuC 分子，我們記錄了12000 至14000 cm⁻¹ 波段的電子光譜，包擴[附圖]和[附圖]這四個譜帶系統，并分析得到了所有七種同位素分子的各項分子常數。由於極高的分辨率，我們觀察到99RuC 和101RuC 這兩個同位素分子的超精細結構，并得到了它們的[附圖] 這三個電子態的超精細常數。對於IrP 分子，我們在12000 至14000 cm⁻¹ 波段發現了新的電子態躍遷，并得到¹⁹³IrP 和¹⁹¹IrP 這兩種同位素分子的分子常數。對於IrB 分子，我們指認了一個新的電子態躍遷³Δ₃-X³Δ₃，并得到了¹⁹¹Ir¹¹B and ¹⁹³Ir¹¹B 這兩種同位素分子的分子常數。 / This thesis reports the high resolution laser spectroscopic studies of molecular systems in the mid‐ and near‐ infrared regions. In the system of solid parahydrogen, spectrum in the pure rotational and rovibrational W (ΔJ=6) transitions in the 4 μm and 1.5 μm regions respectively have been studied. A high resolution difference frequency laser spectrometer was constructed from scratch for the study of the pure rotational W₀(0) (ΔJ=6) transition, while the rovibrational W₁(0) (Δv=1, ΔJ=6) transition was studied using a home‐built near infrared diode laser spectrometer. The exceedingly high resolution achieved by laser spectroscopy resolved the triplet structure for both transitions due to anisotropic crystal field interactions. Their corresponding crystal field parameters based on the model of localized exciton were determined. In addition, the temperature dependences of line profiles and transition frequencies in the range of 3.8‐11.8 K were also studied for both transitions. These observations were consistent with the Debye’s model for the dephasing of two‐level system by acoustic phonons in the bulk crystal. / Coupled with laser ablation and free jet expansion, high resolution laser induced fluorescence spectroscopy in the near infrared region was applied in the study of three transition metal containing diatomic molecules including RuC, IrP and IrB in the gas phase. For RuC molecule, rotational resolved electronic spectrum have been observed in the range of 12000‐14060 cm⁻¹, covering the [with formula], and the [with formula] band systems. The resolution of our spectrum allowed partially resolved hyperfine structure for both ⁹⁹RuC and ¹°¹RuC isotopes. Accurate molecular constants for all seven RuC isotopic molecules were obtained and hyperfine constants for the [with formula] and states of both ⁹⁹RuC and ¹°¹RuC isotopes were retrieved and analyzed. For IrP molecule, new electronic transition systems were observed in the range of 12000‐14000 cm⁻¹ and the molecular constants for both ¹⁹³IrP and ¹⁹¹IrP isotopes were obtained. For IrB molecule, a new ³Δ₃-X³Δ₃ transition system was identified with the molecular constants of two isotopes ¹⁹¹Ir¹¹B and ¹⁹¹Ir¹¹B derived. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Yang, Mei. / Thesis (Ph.D.) Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2015. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 82-85). / Abstracts also in Chinese.

Neste trabalho apresentamos estruturas poliméricas funcionalizadas com nanotubos de carbono, as quais são processadas utilizando técnicas de fabricação a laser. Inicialmente apresentamos uma metodologia para incorporar nanotubos de carbono de parede simples, funcionalizados com ácido carboxílico (NTCPS-COOH) em resinas acrílicas. A funcionalização dessas resinas foi alcançada, sendo possível incorporar nanotubos em uma faixa de 0,01% até 1%, em peso. Adicionalmente, visando aplicações em óptica e optoeletrônica, a inserção de Rodamina B ou MEH-PPV junto às resinas funcionalizadas com nanotubos também foi realizada. Através da técnica de polimerização via absorção multifotônica, microestruturas tridimensionais com boa resolução (aproximadamente 650 nm) e integridade foram fabricadas com essas resinas. A espectroscopia Raman mostrou que os NTCSPS-COOH estão distribuídos por todo o interior das microestruturas, característica necessária para aplicação em dispositivos. A funcionalização das estruturas não se restringiu apenas ao volume. Microestruturas acrílicas foram funcionalizadas com NTCPS-COOH apenas em sua superfície, utilizando a combinação das técnicas de adição de Michael e acoplamento carbodiimida. Análises Raman mostraram também uma boa distribuição dos nanotubos na superfície das amostras funcionalizadas. Mesmo as estruturas que foram funcionalizadas com baixas concentrações de NTCPS-COOH exibiram melhorias nas propriedades mecânicas e elétricas. Estruturas funcionalizadas com 0,01% (em peso) de NTCPS-COOH se mostraram mais resistentes em ensaios de indentação do que as amostras não funcionalizadas. Do ponto de vista elétrico, estruturas com a mesma faixa de funcionalização apresentaram condutividade elétrica superior em duas ordens de grandeza em comparação ao polímero acrílico puro. Por fim, estruturas macroscópicas funcionalizadas com Rodamina B e nanotubos de carbono apresentam potencial aplicabilidade em experimentos de laseres aleatórios. Utilizando microestruturação direta a laser, a fabricação de padrões periódicos dentro dessas estruturas alterou a emissão característica do laser aleatório, fixando os picos de emissão em comprimentos de onda específicos. / In this work we present polymeric structures functionalized with carbon nanotubes, which are processed using laser fabrication techniques. Firstly, we present a methodology to incorporate single-walled carbon nanotubes, functionalized with carboxylic acid (SWCNT-COOH) into acrylate resins. The resins functionalization was obtained, being possible to incorporate nanotubes in a range of 0.01% to 1% by weight. In addition, aiming at optical and optoelectronic applications, such functionalized resins can also be mixed with Rhodamine B or MEH-PPV. Through the multiphoton absorption polymerization technique, threedimensional microstructures presenting good resolution (approximately 650 nm) and integrity were fabricated using these resins. Raman spectroscopy showed that SWCNT-COOH are distributed throughout the volume of the microstructures, a required feature for devices applications. The structures functionalization was not restricted just to the volume. Acrylate microstructures were functionalized with SWCNT-COOH only on their surface, using the combination of Michael addition and carbodiimide coupling techniques. Raman analyzes also showed good distribution of the nanotubes on the polymeric surface. Even structures which were functionalized with low concentrations of SWCNT-COOH exhibited improvements in mechanical and electrical properties. Functionalized structures with 0.01% (by weight) of SWCNT-COOH proved to be more resistant in indentation tests than non-functionalized samples. Regarding the electrical properties, structures with the same functionalization range showed higher conductivity (in two orders) compared to the pure acrylate polymer. Finally, macroscopic structures, functionalized with Rhodamine B and carbon nanotubes present potential applicability in random laser experiments. Using direct laser writing, periodic patterns were fabricated within these functionalized structures, changing the characteristic emission of the random laser, setting the emission peaks at specific wavelengths.

Estágio realizado na ADIRA, S.A. e orientado pelo Eng.º Tiago Brito e Faro / Tese de mestrado integrado. Engenharia Mecânica. Faculdade de Engenharia. Universidade do Porto. 2009

Tese de mestrado integrado. Engenharia Electrotécnica e de Computadores. Telecomunicações. Universidade do Porto. Faculdade de Engenharia. 2011

Tese de mestrado. Engenharia mecânica. Faculdade de Engenharia. Universidade do Porto. 2005

Cette thèse présente le développement d’une méthode ALE pour la modélisation del’interaction laser–plasma. La particularité de cette méthode est l’utilisation d’une étape de projectiond’ordre élevé. Cette étape de projection consiste en une interpolation conservative des quantitésconservatives du maillage Lagrangien sur un maillage régularisé. Afin d’éviter les oscillationsnumériques non-physiques, les flux numériques d’ordre élevé sont combinés avec des fluxnumériques d’ordre moins élevé. Ces flux numériques sont obtenu en considérant les quantitésconservatives constantes par morceaux. Cette méthode pour la discrétisation cellule–centrée consisteà préserver les maximums locaux pour la densité, la vitesse et l’énergie interne. Aspects particuliersde la méthode sont appliquées pour la projection la quantité de mouvement pour la discrétisation’staggered’. Nous l’utilisons ici dans le cadre de la projection sous la forme de la méthode FluxCorrection Remapping (FCR). Dans cette thèse le volet applicatif concerne la modélisation del’interaction d’un laser énergétique avec de plasma et des matériaux microstructures. Un intérêtparticulier est porté à la modélisation de l’absorption du laser par une mousse de faible densité.L’absorption se fait à deux échelles spatiales simultanément. Ce modèle d’absorption laser à deuxéchelles est mis en oeuvre dans le code PALE hydrodynamique. Les simulations numériques de lavitesse de pénétration du laser dans une mousse à faible densité sont en bon accord avec lesdonnées expérimentales. / This thesis presents the overview and the original contributions to a high–orderArbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE) method applicable for the laser–generated plasma modeling withthe focus to a remapping step of the ALE method. The remap is the conservative interpolation of theconservative quantities from a low–quality Lagrangian grid onto a better, smoothed one. To avoidnon–physical numerical oscillations, the high–order numerical fluxes of the reconstruction arecombined with the low–order (first–order) numerical fluxes produced by a standard donor remappingmethod. The proposed method for a cell–centered discretization preserves bounds for the density,velocity and specific internal energy by its construction. Particular symmetry–preserving aspects of themethod are applied for a staggered momentum remap. The application part of the thesis is devoted tothe laser radiation absorption modeling in plasmas and microstructures materials with the particularinterest in the laser absorption in low–density foams. The absorption is modeled on two spatial scalessimultaneously. This two–scale laser absorption model is implemented in the hydrodynamic codePALE. The numerical simulations of the velocity of laser penetration in a low–density foam are in agood agreement with the experimental data.

Ziel der Arbeit war die Entwicklung von lateral gekoppelten DFB-Halbleiterlasern für Hochleistungsanwendungen. Besonderes Augenmerk war dabei auf hohe COD-Schwellen und schmale Fernfeldverteilungen gerichtet. Ausgehend von einem LOC-Design wurden Simulationsrechnungen durchgeführt und ein neues Epitaxiedesign mit einer 2.5 μm dicken LOC, in welcher die aktive Schicht asymmetrisch positioniert ist, entwickelt. Durch die asymmetrische Anordnung der aktiven Schicht kann die im Falle von lateral gekoppelten DFB-Lasern sehr kritische Kopplung der Lichtmode an das modenselektive Gitter gewährleistet werden. Zudem reichen die Ausläufer der Lichtmode in diesem Design weiter in den Wellenleiter hinab als dies bei herkömmlichen Wellenleitern der Fall ist, so dass sich die Fernfeldeigenschaften der Laser verbessern. Die Fernfeldverteilungen solcher Laser weisen Halbwertsbreiten von 14° in lateraler und nur 19° in transversaler Richtung auf. Im Vergleich mit Standardstrukturen konnte die Ausdehnung des transversalen Fernfeldes also um mehr als 50 % reduziert werden. Außerdem ergibt sich eine nahezu runde Abstrahlcharakteristik, was die Einkopplungseffizienz in optische Systeme wie Glasfasern oder Linsen signifikant verbessert. Unter Ausnutzung der entwickelten Epitaxiestruktur mit asymmetrischer LOC wurde ein neues Lateraldesign entwickelt. Es handelt sich hierbei um Wellenleiterstege welche im Bereich der Facetten eine Verjüngung aufweisen. Durch diese wird die optische Mode tief in die 2.5 μm dicke Wellenleiterschicht geführt, welche sie in transversaler Richtung komplett ausfüllt. Durch den größeren Abstand der Lasermode vom Wellenleitersteg ergibt sich zudem eine deutliche schwächere laterale Führung, so dass sich die Mode auch parallel zur aktiven Schicht weiter ausdehnt. Die Lichtmode breitet sich folglich über eine deutlich größere Fläche aus, als dies bei einem gleichbleibend breiten Wellenleitersteg der Fall ist. Die somit signifikant kleinere Leistungsdichte auf der Laserfacette ist gleichbedeutend mit einem Anstieg der COD-Schwelle der Laser der im Einzelnen von den jeweiligen Designparametern von Schicht- und Lateralstruktur abhängig ist. Außerdem bewirkt die in lateraler und transversaler Richtung deutlich schwächere Lokalisation der Mode eine weitere Abnahme der Halbwertsbreiten der Laserfernfelder. Durch die im Vergleich zu herkömmlichen Laserstrukturen schwächere Lokalisation der Lichtmode im Bereich der Facetten ergeben sich äußerst schmale Fernfelder. Ein 1800 μm langer Laser, dessen Stegbreite über 200 μm hinweg auf 0.4 μm verringert wurde, zeigt Halbwertsbreiten von 5.2° in lateraler und 13.0° in transversaler Richtung. Damit sind die Fernfelder dieser Laser bedeutend kleiner als die bislang vorgestellter Laserdioden mit LOC. Die Geometrie der Taperstrukturen bestimmt, wie vollständig sich die Mode in den unteren Wellenleiterbereich ausbreiten kann und nimmt damit Einfluss auf die Laserfernfelder. Im CW-Modus durchgeführte Messungen an Lasern mit Taperstrukturen zeigen maximale Ausgangsleistung von 200 mW bevor die Laser in thermisches Überrollen übergehen. Bei einer Ausgangsleistung von 185 mW beträgt das Seitenmodenunterdrückungsverhältnis 33 dB. Im gepulsten Modus (50 ns Pulsdauer, 1MHz Wiederholungsrate) betriebene Laser zeigen hohe COD-Schwellen von mehreren hundert bis hin zu 1600 mW, die eine deutliche Abhängigkeit von der Endbreite der Taperstrukturen zeigen: Mit abnehmender Taperbreite ergibt sich eine starke Zunahme der COD-Schwelle. An einem 1800 μm langen Laser mit 200 μm langen Taperstrukturen die eine Endbreite von 0.3 μm aufweisen konnte eine COD-Schwelle von 1.6 W nachgewiesen werden. Im Gegensatz zu anderen Ansätzen, die ebenfalls longitudinal und lateral mono-modige DFB-Laser mit hohen Ausgangsleistungen zum Ziel haben, kann jedoch bei dem hier präsentierten Konzept aufgrund des Einsatzes von lateralen DFB-Gittern auf eine Unterbrechung des epitaktischen Wachstums verzichtet werden. Dies vereinfacht die Herstellung der Schichtstrukturen deutlich. Die hier vorgestellten Konzepte sind mit weiteren üblichen Vorgehensweisen zur Herstellung von Hochleistungslaserdioden, wie z.B. speziellen Facettenreinigungs- und Passivierungsverfahren oder Materialdurchmischung im Facettenbereich, kombinierbar. Zudem kann das hier am Beispiel des InGaAs/GaAs Materialsystems entwickelte Konzept auf alle zur Herstellung von Halbleiterlaserdioden üblichen Materialsysteme übertragen werden und eröffnet so eine völlig neue, material- und wellenlängenunabhängige Möglichkeit Abstrahlcharakteristik und Ausgangsleistung von Laserdioden zu optimieren. / The primary objective of this work was the development of laterally coupled DFB semiconductor laser diodes for high-power applications. Special attention was turned to high COD thresholds and narrow farfield distributions. Based on a LOC design, simulations were undertaken and a new epitaxial design was devised featuring an active layer positioned asymmetrically in a LOC with a height of 2.5 μm. This design guarantees good coupling between the light mode and the lateral grating, something that is especially critical in the case of laterally coupled DFB lasers. Furthermore, due to this design the fringes of the light mode extend farther into the waveguide layers than possible in conventional waveguides, thereby improving the farfield characteristics of the devices. The farfield distributions of these laser diodes exhibit FWHM values of 14° in lateral and only 19° in transversal direction. Compared to standard designs the dimension of the transversal farfield could be reduced by more than 50 %, resulting in an almost circular farfield pattern, hence improving the coupling efficiency into optical fibers or lenses significantly. Based on the developed epitaxial design with an asymmetrical LOC, a new ridge design was devised. It features RWGs that are tapered down to a width of only several hundred nanometers at both ends of the laser cavity. Due to this tapered sections, the optical mode is pushed down into the 2.5 μm thick waveguide, filling it out completely in transversal direction. Because of the increased distance between the lasing mode and the RWG, the lateral mode guiding is also decreased, resulting in an expansion parallel to the epitaxial layers as well. Consequently the light spreads over a significantly larger area than in the case of a RWG of constant width. The thusly reduced power density at the laser facet is tantamount to an increase in COD threshold the extent of which depends on the particular design parameters of layer and ridge design respectively. Furthermore, the weaker localisation of the light mode causes a further decrease of the farfields’ FWHM values. Due to the localisation of the light mode being weaker than in conventional laser structures, the measured lasers’ farfield distributions are very narrow. A 1800 μm long laser with a 2.0 μm wide RWG tapered down to 0.4 μm over a length of 200 μm yields FWHM values of 5.2° in lateral and 13.0° in transversal direction. These values are considerably smaller than those achieved with other laser diodes based on LOC structures presented up to now. The layout of the taper structures determines the degree of the spread into the lower waveguide and therefore influences the farfield distributions. When measured in CW mode, the tapered lasers show a maximum optical output power of 200 mW before exhibiting thermal roll-over. Measured at an output power of 185 mW, the spectral characteristics yield a SMSR of 33 dB. Operated in pulsed mode (50 ns pulse length, 1 MHz repetition rate), the laser diodes show high COD thresholds of several hundred up to 1600 mW. The COD thresholds exhibit a strong dependence on the taper width viz. a fast increase of COD threshold with decreasing taper width. Data derived from measurements conducted with a 1800 μm long laser that was tapered down to a ridge width of only 0.3 μm over a length of 200 μm, yield a COD threshold of 1.6 W. Other approaches aiming at laterally and longitudinally mono-mode high-power DFB lasers are based on an epitaxial overgrowth step. This highly risky procedure could be foregone due to the use of DFB gratings positioned laterally to the RWG. The concepts presented here are fully compatible with other procedures usually used for manufacturing high power laser diodes with high COD thresholds, such as special facet cleaning and passivation procedures or quantum-well-intermixing. Above all, although the concept developed in this work was based on the InGaAs/GaAs material system, it can be transferred to virtually every material system used for the fabrication of semiconductor laser diodes. Thus the presented concept establishes a new way of optimizing both farfield and output power of laser diodes that is independent of both material system and emission wavelength.