Title :
Nanosecond tuning of a DS-DBR laser for dynamic optical networks
Author :
Puttnam, Ben ; Thomsen, Benn C. ; Muckstein, R. ; Bianciotto, A. ; Bayvel, Polina
Author_Institution :
Dept. Electron. & Electr. Eng., Univ. Coll. London, London, UK
Abstract :
Fast switching, widely tunable semiconductor lasers will be essential in dynamic wavelength provisioning in future optical networks where data is transmitted in optical bursts or packets ranging from 100 ns to 100 ms at standard ITU-T wavelengths. Of the several designs proposed, the Digital Super-mode-Distributed Bragg Reflector (DS-DBR) is of particular interest since it is able to cover its full tuning range with high and uniform output power and Side Mode Suppression Ratio (SMSR), using significantly lower tuning currents, thus, reducing wavelength error from thermal transients and noise from current sources. Here, we describe the nanosecond switching characteristics and demonstrate full burst transmitter (BTx) functionality, required for future optical burst switched networks, for the first time.
Keywords :
distributed Bragg reflector lasers; laser beam applications; laser tuning; optical burst switching; optical fibre networks; optical transmitters; semiconductor lasers; DS-DBR laser; burst transmitter functionality; digital super-mode-distributed Bragg reflector; dynamic optical networks; nanosecond laser tuning; optical burst switched networks; side mode suppression ratio; thermal transients; widely tunable semiconductor laser; Laser tuning; Noise reduction; Optical fiber networks; Optical noise; Optical packet switching; Optical transmitters; Optical tuning; Power generation; Semiconductor lasers; Tunable circuits and devices;
Conference_Titel :
Lasers and Electro-Optics 2009 and the European Quantum Electronics Conference. CLEO Europe - EQEC 2009. European Conference on
Conference_Location :
Munich
Print_ISBN :
978-1-4244-4079-5
Electronic_ISBN :
978-1-4244-4080-1
DOI :
10.1109/CLEOE-EQEC.2009.5196245