In-phase　coherently　coupled　vertical　cavity　surface　emitting　laser　(VCSEL)　hexagonal　arrays　were　fabricated　using　proton　implantation.　The　near-field　profiles,　far-field　profiles,　and　emission　spectra　under　different　injection　currents　were　tested　and　analyzed.　The　arrays　can　maintain　in-phase　single　mode　in　a　considerably　wide　current　range　from　10　mA　(I-th)　to　35　mA　(3.5　x　I-th),　exhibiting　excellent　beam　quality.　The　far-field　divergence　angle　of　the　in-phase　coupled　array　is　2.5　degrees.　Approximately　29%　of　total　power　is　localized　in　the　central　lobe.　Compared　with　square　structure　arrays,　hexagonal　arrays　can　maintain　a　more　stable　in-phase　mode　because　of　stronger　coupling　among　the　elements.　The　maximum　output　power　of　4.9　mW　was　obtained　under　pulse　wave　condition.　The　simulation　of　far-field　was　carried　out　to　match　the　in-phase　operation　test　results.　The　performance　enhancement　of　the　array　is　attainable　if　the　condition　of　heat　dissipation　is　better.　The　process　procedure　of　proton　implantation　is　relatively　simple　and　of　low　cost.　It　can　be　used　as　an　alternative　to　coherently　coupled　array　implementations.　(C)　2015　Optical　Society　of　America