Title :
A Novel Two-Section Tunable Discrete Mode Fabry-PÉrot Laser Exhibiting Nanosecond Wavelength Switching
Author :
Phelan, Richard ; Guo, Wei-Hua ; Lu, Qiaoyin ; Byrne, Diarmuid ; Roycroft, B. ; Lambkin, Paul ; Corbett, Brian ; Smyth, Frank ; Barry, Liam P. ; Kelly, Brian ; Gorman, James O. ; Donegan, John F.
Author_Institution :
Trinity Coll. Dublin, Dublin
fDate :
4/1/2008 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
A novel widely tunable laser diode is proposed and demonstrated. Mode selection occurs by etching perturbing slots into the laser ridge. A two-section device is realized with different slot patterns in each section allowing Vernier tuning. The laser operates at 1.3 mum and achieves a maximum output power of 10 mW. A discontinuous tuning range of 30 nm was achieved with a side mode suppression greater than 30 dB. Wavelength switching times of approximately 1.5 ns between a number of wavelength channels separated by 7 nm have been demonstrated.
Keywords :
Fabry-Perot resonators; III-V semiconductors; aluminium compounds; gallium arsenide; high-speed optical techniques; indium compounds; laser modes; laser tuning; optical communication equipment; optical switches; quantum well lasers; wavelength division multiplexing; InAlGaAs; Vernier tuning; discontinuous tuning; etching; laser output power; laser ridge; mode selection; mode suppression; nanosecond wavelength switching; perturbing slots; power 10 mW; tunable laser diode; two-section tunable discrete mode Fabry-Perot laser; wavelength 1.3 mum; Diode lasers; Distributed feedback devices; Etching; Gas lasers; Laser feedback; Laser modes; Laser tuning; Power semiconductor switches; Semiconductor lasers; Tunable circuits and devices; Fast wavelength switching; Vernier effect; semiconductor laser diode; widely tunable laser;
Journal_Title :
Quantum Electronics, IEEE Journal of
DOI :
10.1109/JQE.2007.914219
