Ridge waveguide AlGaAs/GaAs distributed feedback lasers

Ridge waveguide AlGaAs/GaAs distributed feedback lasers were fabricated by a two-step molecular beam epitaxy. A threshold current as low as 37 mA, which is the lowest ever reported, was obtained under a continuous wave condition at room temperature. The low threshold current is due to the larger coupling coefficient (91 cm^-1) and a good current and optical confinement. The effects of the facet coatings were investigated and a high-power and a high-temperature operation was obtained. The polarization and the dynamic behavior were also investigated.