Monolithically integrated quantum-confined stark effect tuned laser with uniform frequency modulation response

Conventional tunable semiconductor lasers tuned by the carrier induced effect suffer from intrinsically nonuniform optical frequency modulation (FM) response due to the associated thermal effect. Electric field effect tuned lasers involving no current injection, offer intrinsically uniform FM response. We report here the first quantum-confined Stark effect tuned two-section ridge waveguide laser fabricated by postgrowth band gap engineering techniques. An highly uniform FM response, within /spl plusmn/3 dB from 30 kHz to 6 GHz, is achieved, independent of laser output power, the widest and most uniform response yet reported for a field effect tuned laser. The residual intensity modulation is less than 5% for 4.5-GHz peak frequency deviation.