Title :
Control of unidirectional oscillation in semiconductor orbiter lasers
Author :
Oku, Satoshi ; Okayasu, Masanobu ; Ikeda, Masahiro
Author_Institution :
NTT Opto-Electronics Lab., Kanagawa, Japan
Abstract :
Unidirectional oscillation in a ring-resonator-type semiconductor laser was demonstrated in a square-shaped orbiter laser using an optical feedback mechanism. The bistable switching phenomenon between the unidirectional and bidirectional oscillation was observed synchronized with the switching of the longitudinal lasing mode. A longitudinal-mode bistability results from the compound cavity system formed by the orbiter laser and output waveguide. The feedback light from the output waveguide end interferes with the orbiter lasing light. Switching between the unidirectional and bidirectional oscillation was controlled by injecting a current into the output waveguide, which varies the phase condition of the feedback light.<>
Keywords :
feedback; laser modes; optical bistability; optical switches; optical waveguides; ring lasers; semiconductor junction lasers; semiconductor switches; bidirectional oscillation; bistable switching; compound cavity system; diode laser current injection; feedback light; lasing light; light interference; longitudinal lasing mode; longitudinal-mode bistability; optical feedback; output waveguide; phase condition; ring-resonator-type; semiconductor orbiter lasers; square-shaped orbiter laser; synchronized laser switching; unidirectional oscillation; Laser feedback; Laser modes; Optical control; Optical waveguides; Quantum well lasers; Ring lasers; Semiconductor lasers; Surface emitting lasers; Vertical cavity surface emitting lasers; Waveguide lasers;
Journal_Title :
Photonics Technology Letters, IEEE
