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 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     

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.     

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.     

Self-pulsation in multielectrode distributed feedback lasers

Measurements on multielectrode distributed feedback (DFB) lasers without a saturable absorber reveal the existence of a self-pulsation (SP) regime. In this regime, the laser remains in the same single-longitudinal mode with simultaneous intensity and frequency modulation. The laser spectrum is similar to that of a current-modulated single-mode laser. At the up-limit of the SP regime, the behavior between the output power and the injection current becomes bistable. In one branch of the bistable loop, the SP laser presents a very large spectrum without distinguishable peaks, a kind of chaotic state with coherence collapse. A qualitative explanation based on the effective differential gain is given for the origin of SP and associated phenomena in these lasers     

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     

DFB Quantum Cascade Laser Arrays

DFB quantum cascade laser (DFB-QCL) arrays operating between 8.7 and 9.4 $mu$m are investigated for their performance characteristics—single-mode selection of the DFB grating, and variability in threshold, slope efficiency, and output power of different lasers in the array. Single-mode selection refers to the ability to choose a desired mode/frequency of laser emission with a DFB grating. We apply a theoretical framework developed for general DFB gratings to analyze DFB-QCL arrays. We calculate how the performance characteristics of DFB-QCLs are affected by the coupling strength $kappa L$ of the grating, and the relative position of the mirror facets at the ends of the laser cavity with respect to the grating. We discuss how single-mode selection can be improved by design. Several DFB-QCL arrays are fabricated and their performance examined. We achieve desired improvements in single-mode selection, and we observe the predicted variability in the threshold, slope efficiency, and output power of the DFB-QCLs. As a demonstration of potential applications, the DFB-QCL arrays are used to perform infrared absorption spectroscopy with fluids.      

The effect of stitching errors on the spectral characteristics ofDFB lasers fabricated using electron beam lithography

Field stitching errors and their effect on the single-mode characteristics of distributed feedback (DFB) lasers fabricated using electron beam lithography were investigated. The stitching errors are associated with small-area, high-resolution electron beam exposure, which has the potential advantage of high-speed writing of laser gratings. Measurements show that the errors are composed of a systematic and a stochastic part. Their effect on the gain margin was simulated both for λ/4 phase-shifted and optimized multiple-phase-shifted DFB lasers. Simulations show that the lasers are insensitive to the systematic part of the stitching errors if the number of errors is large enough. The stochastic part was found to give rise to a variation in gain margin of the DFB lasers. It is concluded that the field stitching accuracy in the high-resolution mode of a commercial system for electron beam lithography is sufficient to provide a high yield of single-mode lasers. However, it is essential that certain precautions be taken considering exposure conditions and that a fault tolerant laser design be used     

An Ultralow Noise and Narrow Linewidth λ/4-Shifted DFB Er-Doped Fiber Laser With a Ring Cavity Configuration

We report a polarization-maintaining lambda/4-shifted distributed feedback (DFB) Er-doped fiber laser with a ring cavity configuration. The ring cavity suppressed the self-pulsation of the stand-alone Er-doped DFB fiber laser. The laser with a 57-m-long ring cavity achieved single-longitudinal-mode operation, a linewidth as narrow as 6 kHz, and relaxation-oscillation-free noise characteristics.     

977-nm all-fiber DFB laser

Three-level operation of a fiber distributed feedback (DFB) laser operating around 980 nm is demonstrated for the first time. The ytterbium-doped DFB laser shows a maximum slope efficiency of 61% and output power of 38.2 mW under a launched single-mode pump power of 150 mW at 910 nm. The efficiency of lasers with different coupling strengths and at different pump wavelengths is also investigated.     

The effect of complex coupling coefficients on distributed feedback lasers

The effect of complex coupling coefficients on the performance of distributed feedback (DFB) lasers is studied. The physical origins of a complex coupling coefficient are specified, and its relation with gain or loss mechanisms which occur inside the laser is discussed. Numerical results are presented for the oscillation frequencies, threshold gains, and intensity patterns of the longitudinal modes of the DFB laser.     

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     

Dimensionless rate equations and simple conditions for self-pulsingin laser diodes

Rate equations modeling self-pulsating laser diodes have been investigated numerically by various groups. In the paper, we formulate dimensionless equations; which unifies these independent studies. The low values of the decay rates of the carriers motivate analytical approximations for the domain of self-pulsation. These approximations highlight the effect of some physical processes (diffusion of the carriers, radiative recombination rate) which are important for self-pulsating diode lasers     

Controllable self-pulsations in multi-section DFB lasers with anintegrated phase-tuning section

1.55-μm InGaAsP-InP multi-section DFB lasers with an integrated phase tuning section have been fabricated. It is shown for the first time that the self-pulsation can be electrically switched on and off by adjusting the phase current. Reproducible self-pulsation characteristics from device to device are achieved in this way     

Effects of structural parameters on the external optical feedbacksensitivity in DFB semiconductor lasers

External optical feedback sensitivity in distributed feedback (DFB) semiconductor lasers is analyzed with special attention to phase-shifted and complex-coupled lasers. The effects of various structural parameters such as coupling strength, facet reflectivity, and corrugation phase angle on external optical feedback sensitivity are studied. The λ/4 phase-shifted index-coupled DFB laser exhibits low external optical feedback sensitivity for large index-coupling coefficient and high facet reflectivity. Pure gain-coupled DFB lasers perform better than the phase-shiftless uniform index-coupled DFB lasers but worse than λ/4 phase-shifted index-coupled lasers with high coupling strengths. External optical feedback sensitivity of complex-coupled lasers depends significantly on the index-to-gain coupling ratio, the phase between the index and gain gratings, and the total coupling     

Analysis of external optical feedback on distributed-feedbacksemiconductor lasers above threshold

An analysis of external optical feedback based on distributed-feedback (DFB) semiconductor lasers above threshold is presented. It is based on a numerical model taking into account the longitudinal spatial hole burning (SHB) effect, which has been recently known to be an important phenomenon for DFB lasers above threshold. Numerical results for a typical index-coupled quarter-wave-shifted (QWS) DFB laser with a moderate coupling coefficient (κL=3) are given. It was found that the SHB effect can affect the sensitivity to feedback for DFB lasers above threshold     

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。     

Chirp characteristics of 10-Gb/s electroabsorption modulatorintegrated DFB lasers

We present a complete large-signal dynamic model of electroabsorption modulator integrated (EAMI) distributed feedback (DFB) lasers using the time-dependent transfer matrix method. With this model, it is possible to analyze dynamic characteristics depending on optical feedback and spatial hole burning. Also, we can separately calculate the laser and modulator chirp including the voltage-dependent modulator chirp parameter, the grating phase at the end of the laser section, the length of the waveguide region, and electrical coupling. Therefore, our model can provide better predictions regarding the laser and modulator chirp. The calculated large-signal chirp using our model has similar characteristics to the measured large-signal chirp for 10-Gb/s EAMI-DFB lasers     

Effect of Rayleigh backscattering from optical fibers on DFB laser wavelength

The effects of Rayleigh backscatter feedback from single-mode fibers on the spectral behavior of 1.5μm InGaAsP DFB lasers were measured. Rayleigh backscattering narrows the laser linewidth and induces frequency hops. The probability distribution for finding the laser at a particular frequency is reasonably approximated by a Gaussian distribution which has a width proportional to the laser-fiber coupling efficiency. Laser frequency excursions up to 1 GHz were observed and larger shifts are predicted to occur for stronger laser-fiber coupling. The experimental results agree well With a theory based on the Van der Pol oscillator model.