Non-Hermiticity and exceptional points in coherently coupled vertical cavity laser diode arrays

Coherently coupled laser arrays can be described by the temporal coupled mode theory in which the array modal behavior can be classified according to the coupling matrix, M¯¯. Accounting for a nonuniform gain/loss distribution in a laser array makes M¯¯ a non-Hermitian matrix, and experimentally we find phase-front tuning (beam steering) of the coherent supermode as a result of the non-Hermiticity. We report the experimental characterization of the supermodes in coherently coupled vertical cavity surface emitting laser diode arrays and demonstrate control of non-Hermiticity by spatially varying injection currents. Exceptional points are identified in these electrically injected microcavity diode arrays.