Dispersive self-Q-switching in self-pulsating DFB lasers

Self-pulsations reproducibly achieved in newly developed lasers with two distributed feedback sections and with an additional phase tuning section are investigated. The existence of the dispersive self-Q-switching mechanism for generating the high-frequency self-pulsations is verified experimentally for the first time. This effect is clearly distinguished from other possible self-pulsation mechanisms by detecting the single-mode type of the self-pulsation and the operation of one section near the transparency current density using it as a reflector with dispersive feedback. The operating conditions for generating this self-pulsation type are analyzed. It is revealed that the required critical detuning of the Bragg wavelengths of the two DFB sections is achieved by a combination of electronic wavelength tuning and current-induced heating. The previous reproducibility problems of self-pulsations in two-section DFB lasers operated at, in principle, suited current conditions are discussed, and the essential role of an electrical phase-control section for achieving reproducible device properties is pointed out. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that phase tuning can be used for extending the self-pulsation regime and for optimizing the frequency stability of the self-pulsation. Improved performance of the devices applied as optical clocks thus can be expected     

Self-pulsation in multisection laser diodes with a DFB reflector

A novel self-pulsation regime is observed in multisection laser diodes which consist of a loss-coupled distributed-feedback (DFB) section, a phase control section, and gain sections, where 10-GHz self-pulsation due to compound cavity mode beating has been reported with the DFB section operated as a single-mode laser. When the DFB section is below threshold current, the devices give the self-pulsation in a very wide operating range. We attribute the pulsation to passive mode-locking and also confirm that this structure is applicable to 40-GHz operation.     

Self-Pulsating Amplified Feedback Laser Based on a Loss-Coupled DFB Laser

Monolithic self-pulsating semiconductor lasers called amplified feedback lasers (AFLs) can generate high-frequency self-pulsations according to the concept of a single-mode laser with shortly delayed optical feedback, which consist of a distributed-feedback (DFB) laser, a phase control, and an amplifier section. Since mode degeneracy of the DFB section, which should operate as a single-mode laser, affects the self-pulsation, single-mode characteristics of the DFB section are critical for the self-pulsation. The effect of a complex coupling in the DFB section on the self-pulsation is numerically analyzed to reveal that the complex coupling provides a wide operation range for the self-pulsation. Also, self-pulsating AFLs based on a loss-coupled DFB laser are experimentally demonstrated to verify the self-pulsation characteristics and the capability for all-optical clock recovery.     

Optical generation and sideband injection locking of tunable 11-120GHz microwave/millimetre signals

It is shown that two-section gain-coupled DFB lasers with large section lengths and weak distributed feedback coupling exhibit a self-pulsation tuning range greater than reported previously. The phase noise of a sideband injection locked self-pulsation is measured and the jitter introduced by the self-pulsing laser found to be negligible     

Self-pulsation dynamics in narrow stripe semiconductor lasers

In this paper, we address the physical origin of self-pulsation in narrow stripe edge emitting semiconductor lasers. We present both experimental time-averaged polarization-resolved near-field measurements performed with a charged-coupled device camera and picosecond time resolved near-field measurements performed with a streak camera. These results demonstrate dynamic spatial-hole burning during pulse formation and evolution. We conclude from these experimental results that the dominant process which drives the self-pulsation in this type of laser diode is carrier induced effective refractive index change induced by the spatial-hole burning.     

Self-pulsation in an InGaN laser-theory and experiment

Room-temperature operation of self-pulsating InGaN lasers was obtained at a wavelength of 395 nm. The laser structure consists of a multiquantum-well InGaN active layer and a p-type InGaN single-quantum-well saturable absorber. The frequency range of the self-pulsation was from 1.6 to 2.9 GHz. The experimental results were well explained with our theoretical analysis. We found that features of the saturable absorber strongly affect the self-pulsation. Influence of device and material parameters on the laser dynamics was also investigated.     

High-frequency pulsations in DFB lasers with amplified feedback

We describe the basic ideas behind the concept of distributed feedback (DFB) lasers with short optical feedback for the generation of high-frequency self-pulsations and show the theoretical background describing realized devices. It is predicted by theory that the self-pulsation frequency increases with increasing feedback strength. To provide evidence for this, we propose a novel device design which employs an amplifier section in the integrated feedback cavity of a DFB laser. We present results from numerical simulations and experiments. It has been shown experimentally that a continuous tuning of the self-pulsation frequency from 12 to 45 GHz can be adjusted via the control of the feedback strength. The numerical simulations, which are in good accordance with experimental investigations, give an explanation for a self-stabilizing effect of the self-pulsations due to the additional carrier dynamic in the integrated feedback cavity.     

Modeling self-pulsating DFB lasers with an integrated phase tuningsection

A theoretical model of a self-pulsating three-section DFB laser with an integrated phase tuning section is established. It is based on traveling wave equations and the standard carrier rate equations. Parameters of an existing device are used for applying the model. Key conditions and characteristics of self-pulsations (SPs) are modeled and compared with experimental results. The important role of phase tuning for turning on the SP is pointed out. The dependence of the SP regime on the detuning between the Bragg wavelengths in the laser and reflector is determined and the essential role of phase-readjustment is identified. Frequency tuning via the laser currents, as well as the pulse shape at various frequencies, is investigated. This allows us to identify the mechanism for frequency tuning. The model turns out to be a good tool to improve our knowledge of the self-pulsation effect and to design optimized devices     

Development of self-pulsations due to self-annealing of proton bombarded regions during aging in proton bombarded stripe-geometry AlGaAs DH lasers grown by molecular beam epitaxy

Experimental observations indicate that the occurrence of optical self-pulsation in proton delineated stripe-geometry double-heterostructure junction lasers is related to the degree of gain guiding inherent in individual lasers. We show that an aging process occurs during lasing operation which has the effect of partially annealing the proton induced carrier removal concentration at the edges of the active stripe of the laser. In some lasers, the magnitude of this annealing effect is sufficiently large to flatten the active stripe carrier concentration profile thus reducing filament stability leading ultimately to optical self-pulsation. It is shown that the carrier concentration profile modification is due to the dual effects of decreasing then = 2nonradiative current component at the active stripe-proton bombarded interface as well as the geometric effect of increasing the laser active stripe width. This latter effect may be also responsible for some portion of laser threshold current increase observed during device operation.     

半导体激光器的自脉动与被动锁模

利用普适GaAlA3双异质结半导体激光器，观察到被动锁模现象。讨论了半导体激光二极管的自脉动、外腔中的诱导自脉动以及被动锁模间的区别与联系。     

Transient and optoelectronic feedback-sustained pulsation of laserdiodes at 1300 nm

We report the observation of self-sustained pulsation and transient self-pulsation in laser diodes at 1300 nm and the effects of optoelectronic feedback on the pulsations. Transient self-pulsation has a lifetime of a few minutes with frequencies up to 7 GHz. The linewidth of self-pulsation is on the order of 0.5 GHz. With optoelectronic feedback, the transient self-pulsation can be sustained and the linewidth significantly reduced to about 20 kHz. The center frequency of feedback-sustained pulsation is dependent on the passband of the bandpass filter in the feedback loop. The feedback sustained pulsation can be frequency modulated for applications in subcarrier multiplexed optical networks such as cable TV distribution and antenna remoting     

Condition for short pulse generation in ultrahigh frequency mode-locking of semiconductor lasers

It is shown that although it is possible to obtain mode-locking without self-pulsation when certain criteria are satisfied, the shortest pulses are almost always generated at or close to the onset of self-pulsation. Thus, the amplitude of the optical pulse train is modulated by the (relatively) low-frequency envelop of a few gigahertz under this condition. This observation was obtained by simultaneously measuring the pulsewidth using an autocorrelator and monitoring the optical intensity using a high-speed photodiode and a microwave spectrum analyzer. It is concluded that while it is possible to generate picosecond optical pulses in ultrahigh-frequency mode-locking of quantum-well lasers, very short pulses ( to 1 ps) are almost always accompanied by self-pulsation which is manifested as low-frequency (gigahertz) envelope modulation of the optical pulse train.<>     

Vertical external-cavity surface-emitting laser for dual-wavelength generation

We report an optically pumped vertical external-cavity surface-emitting laser that is designed for emission at two wavelengths simultaneously. Single transverse mode continuous-wave (CW) operation is demonstrated at the wavelengths of 984 and 1042 nm. The device produces a CW optical power of 140 mW for the 984-nm component and 115 mW for the 1042-nm component, exhibiting over 10% efficiency. At a high pump power, self-pulsation of the components appeared on top of the CW-mode components. The maximum total output of 1 W was obtained at the pump power of 9 W.     

Self-pulsation in two-section DFB semiconductor lasers and itssynchronization to an external signal

A model of self-pulsation in two-section distributed feedback (DFB) lasers without a saturable absorber is developed by using generalized rate equations. The introduction of an effective differential gain in our model allows us to take into consideration both material and structural effects. The self-pulsation conditions are derived from a linear stability analysis. A mechanism based on a negative effective differential gain is proposed to explain the origin of self-pulsation in such lasers. By considering an injected optical signal, the optical synchronization of self-pulsating lasers is studied using nonlinear simulations. This leads to the determination of some locking-range properties, which are then compared to experimental and analytical results     

Distinction between multimoded and singlemoded self-pulsations-inDFB lasers

DFB lasers with split contacts are shown, by large signal dynamic modelling, to self-pulsate at gigabit frequencies. Two different self-pulsation schemes are discussed: where the laser switches between the higher and lower stop band modes, and where the laser pulsates around a single mode. The second scheme can yield self-pulsation frequencies beyond 20 GHz. Comparisons are made with experimental results     

Gigahertz self-pulsation in 1.5 μm wavelength multisection DFBlasers

Self-pulsation in InGaAsP/InP multisection distributed feedback (DFB) lasers was generated reproducibly by adjusting appropriate injection conditions. Frequencies of up to some gigahertz were achieved. It was demonstrated that-in contrast to Fabry-Perot (FP) elements-no selective treatment of one section is required for creating the self-pulsation. It is concluded that the self-pulsation in DFB elements is of a different type than in FP elements     

三区DFB激光器高速自脉动的研究

全光信号再生技术是超高速大容量全光网络中的核心技术,其中全光时钟提取是全光再生技术的关键,基于多区DFB激光器件自脉动进行时钟提取是最佳选择方案。基于双区DFB激光器件自脉动研究的基础上,对三区DFB激光器件的自脉动特性进行了讨论和数值模拟分析,并对提高自脉动频率的方案进行了研究。     

Synchronization phase diagrams of monolithic colliding pulse-modelocked lasers

We present phase diagrams of colliding pulse mode locked (CPM) InGaAsP QW laser operation relevant to the ability to synchronize the repetition rate to an external clock. A three-dimensional parameter space of gain currents, absorber bias, and RF frequency is explored using an automated test set up. We find regions of modelocking, self-pulsation, and incomplete modelocking/CW lasing. We show that the modelocked region is asymmetric in RF frequency; i.e., the pulse repetition rate can be slowed down more easily than speeded up.     

Widely frequency tunable amplified feedback laser as 20 GHz optical microwave source

Optical microwave sources are required in optical signal processing. Amplified feedback laser (AFL) which can generate high frequency self-pulsation due to compound cavity modes beating are used as optical microwave sources. In this paper, we fabricate a four-section AFL consisted of a different distribute feedback (DFB) section, a phase control section, an amplifier section, and a transparent section. This AFL generate continuously tunable microwave in the range 19.87–26.30 GHz with 3 dB linewidth about 3 MHz. Microwave with narrow linewidth is obtained by injecting quarter frequency modulated light experimentally.     

Self-pulsations in strongly coupled asymmetric external cavitysemiconductor lasers

Self-pulsations in asymmetric external cavity semiconductor lasers are studied experimentally and are analyzed using improved rate equations which include multiple reflections. These equations are valid for arbitrary levels of coherent external optical feedback. The dependence of self-pulsation frequencies on injection current, external mirror tilt angle and reflectivity, and external cavity length is explained by small-signal analysis of the rate equations. By numerical integration of the rate equations, self-pulsations are demonstrated theoretically and resonant enhancement of intensity noise is shown to occur when the self-pulsation frequency is an integer fraction of the external cavity resonance frequency