High power superluminescent diodes for 1.3 μm wavelengths

Superluminescent diodes for optical low coherence reflectometry in the 1.3 μm range are reported with a singlemode fibre coupled output power of 8 mW. The high gain amplifier structure with 10° tilted SiO-Al₂O₃ coated facets ensures this high power, broad spectral emission over 30 nm. The integrated absorber, together with the tilted and coated facet, attenuates the light reflected back from the absorber facet into the gain region by up to -149 dB. Internal reflection induced nonuniformities at maximum output power remain below 2×10^-2