Photonic crystals for planar laser sources: New functionalities and outlook

By harnessing the potential of photonic crystal waveguide, we have developed inherently single-mode DFB lasers that can be integrated in arrays. We propose and demonstrate two methods (affine deformation and double deformation) for fine optimization and control of both the emission wavelength and the mode discrimination of such lasers. Integrated arrays of single-mode DFB lasers on membrane emitting around 990 nm with wavelength spacing under 0.2 nm are experimentally reported. Theoretical Q factor above 6.10⁵ are obtained. Using double deformation, laser emission characteristics and performances remain unchanged under optical feedback above 10%.