Patent ID: 7142571

Claim:
A semiconductor light source comprising: 1) a first semiconductor laser diode arranged to emit a first output beam having a predetermined output spectrum for use at a predetermined wavelength in a first direction, said first laser diode including: a) a first top surface arranged facing a direction having a predetermined non-zero angle relative to said first direction; b) a first light generating substructure disposed below said first top surface for generating a plurality of first light waves; c) said first light generating substructure having a first active region substantially parallel to said first top surface; d) a first coupling means for transmitting a predetermined portion of said first light waves through said first top surface; 2) a second semiconductor laser diode arranged to emit a second output beam having a predetermined output spectrum for use at a predetermined wavelength in a second direction, said second laser diode including: a) a second top surface arranged facing a direction having a predetermined non-zero angle relative to said second direction; b) a second light generating substructure disposed below said second top surface for generating a plurality of second light waves; c) said second light generating substructure having a second active region substantially parallel to said second top surface; d) a second coupling means for transmitting a predetermined portion of said second light waves through said second top surface; and 3) means for disposing said first and second laser diodes such that said first and second top surfaces are substantially parallel to each other and are held in proximity, and said first and second coupling means couple at least one of said pluralities of said first and second light waves to the other said plurality of said first or second light waves and lock said first and second light waves in a predetermined phase relation.