Analysis on wide continuous wavelength tuning of rapid-tunable quantum-well DFB lasers with carrier-transport effects

The authors report, theoretically, the wide and rapid tuning characteristics of the enhanced-plasma effect (EPE) laser. The EPE laser is a novel wavelength tunable laser. It has a thick carrier reservoir between the p-cladding layer and the MQW active layer. Fast blue-frequency shifting, due to the plasma effect, is strikingly enhanced and exceeds the slow red-thermal-frequency drift. Continuous-wave tuning range is analyzed in consideration of the carrier transport time, the carrier lifetime in the reservoir, and heat generation owing to nonradiative recombination current. Wide continuous rapid tuning characteristics are demonstrated, theoretically. Over 10-nm continuous and rapid tuning range would he obtained by using an EPE structure