1.3-μm InGaAsP-InP n-type modulation-doped strainedmultiquantum-well lasers

The use of n-type modulation doping to reduce the threshold current, the carrier lifetime, and the internal loss in 1.3-μm InGaAsP-InP strained multiquantum-well (MQW) lasers is experimentally demonstrated. The threshold current density, the carrier lifetime, and the internal loss were reduced by about 33%, 36%, and 28%, respectively, as compared with an undoped MQW laser. Moreover, the turn-on delay time in the n-type modulation-doped MQW lasers with a low-leakage buried heterostructure was reduced by about 35%. These results confirm the suitability of this type of laser for use in the basic structure of a monolithic laser array used as a light source for high-density parallel optical interconnection     

Continuous-wave low-threshold performance of 1.3-μm InGaAs-GaAsquantum-dot lasers

The understanding of material quality and luminescence characteristics of InGaAs-GaAs quantum dots (QD's) is advancing rapidly. Intense work in this area has been stimulated by the recent demonstration of lasing from a QD active region at the technologically important 1.3-μm wavelength from a GaAs-based heterostructure laser. Already, several groups have achieved low-threshold currents and current densities at room temperature from In(Ga)As QD active regions that emit at or close to 1.3 μm. In this paper, we discuss crystal growth, QD emission efficiency, and low-threshold lasing characteristics for 1.3-μm InGaAs-GaAs QD active regions grown using submonolayer depositions of In, Ga, and As. Oxide-confinement is effective in obtaining a low-threshold current of 1.2 mA and threshold-current density of 19 A/cm² under continuous-wave (CW) room temperature (RT) operation. At 4 K, a remarkably low threshold-current density of 6 A/cm² is obtained     

1.3-μm spot-size-converter integrated laser diodes fabricated bynarrow-stripe selective MOVPE

High-performance 1.3-μm spot-size-converter integrated laser diodes (SSC-LDs) have been developed by using narrow-stripe (<2.0 μm) selective MOVPE. In order to decrease leak current at high temperature, a p-n-p-n current blocking structure was added using a self-alignment process. These LD's no longer require a semiconductor etching process. Superior lasing characteristics, such as a low driving current of 56 mA for output power of 10 mW, and high-slope efficiency at 85°C, were achieved by using a high-quality multiple-quantum well (MQW) active layer of narrow-stripe selective MOVPE and a p-n-p-n current blocking structure. A narrow radiation angle of 12° was obtained by optimizing the tapered-waveguide profile. A high-coupling efficiency of -2.8 dB was achieved between a LD chip and a single-mode fiber (SMF). This SSC-LD is very appropriate as a light source for access network systems, which require a low-cost LD module. It has excellent coupling efficiency, using a SMF, and a simple fabrication process, using selective MOVPE     

1.3-μm InP-InGaAsP lasers fabricated on Si substrates by waferbonding

1.3-μm InP-InGaAsP lasers have been successfully fabricated on Si substrates by wafer bonding. InP-InGaAsP thin epitaxial films are prepared by selective etching of InP substrates and then bonded to Si wafers, after which the laser structures are fabricated on the bonded thin films. The bonding temperature has been optimized to be 400°C by considering bonding strength, quality of the bonded crystal, and compatibility with device processes. Room-temperature continuous-wave (RT CW) operation has been achieved for 6-μm-wide mesa lasers with a threshold current of 39 mA, which is identical to that of conventional lasers on InP substrates. Additionally, the lasers fabricated on Si have exhibited higher output powers than the lasers on InP, which is due to higher thermal conductivity of Si substrates. From these results, the wafer bonding is thought to be a promising technique to integrate optical devices on Si and implement optical interconnections between Si LSI chips     

Monolithic integration of spot-size converters with 1.3-μmlasers and 1.55-μm polarization insensitive semiconductor opticalamplifiers

To reduce packaging costs, it is necessary to use passive alignment between the laser diodes and optical fiber. Such an alignment requires low-coupling loss and large positional alignment tolerances. This is achievable with integrated spot-size converters, which permit to match the near field of a laser to that of a flat-end single-mode fiber (SMF). In this paper, we first review briefly the different technological approaches to realize spot-size converters. Then, we focus on the double-core structure developed both for 1.3-μm Fabry-Perot lasers and 1.55-μm semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs). The spot-size expansion is simulated using a two-dimensional (2-D) beam propagation method analysis. Short spot-size converters (100 μm) integrated with 1.3-μm lasers and 1.55-μm SOAs exhibit beam divergences as low as 12°×12° and 12°×15°, respectively. The performances of devices with integrated spot-size converters are reported and discussed. A 2-in wafer process is used thanks to the versatility of the double-core structure and its compatibility with buried ridge stripe technology     

Structural dependence of 1.3-μm narrow-beam lasers fabricated byselective MOCVD growth

The effect of structural parameters on the lasing characteristics of 1.3-μm narrow beam lasers has been investigated. Monolithically integrated vertically tapered multiquantum-well (MQW) waveguide, fabricated by use of selective metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD), is used for the expansion of the optical spot size. It is experimentally shown that the energy separation between the gain and waveguide regions that is formed simultaneously by selective MOCVD is shown to be an important parameter in order to achieve low-threshold current density and good temperature characteristics. The lengths of gain and waveguide regions have been investigated in terms of temperature characteristics of threshold current and far-field angle. A lower threshold current density and a higher characteristic temperature were obtained for longer gain region, We also have estimated the waveguide loss of the mode-field converter lasers diodes (MFC-LD's). High performance of 1.3-μm integrated vertically tapered waveguide lasers were achieved in an optimized device     

Theoretical analysis of high-temperature characteristics of1.3-μm InP-based quantum-well lasers

By taking into account the electrostatic deformation in the band profiles and the temperature dependence of the optical dephasing time, we study the temperature sensitivity of the differential gain, threshold carrier density, and radiative current density in 1.3-μm InP-based strained-layer quantum-well (QW) lasers. Electrostatic deformation is analyzed by the self-consistent numerical calculation of Poisson's equation, the scalar effective-mass equation for the conduction band, and the multiband effective-mass equation for the valence band. The optical dephasing time is then obtained from the intrasubband scattering rates for electrons and holes within the fully dynamic random phase approximation including carrier-carrier and carrier-phonon interactions on an equal basis. It is clarified that the electrostatic band-profile deformation is one of the dominant mechanisms For determining the temperature sensitivity Of the differential gain, while the optical dephasing time has a pronounced influence on the transparent condition at elevated temperatures. We demonstrate that the electrostatic band-profile deformation and the temperature-dependent optical dephasing play essential roles in determining the high-temperature characteristics of InP-based QW lasers     

How to launch 1 W into single-mode fiber from a single 1.48-μmflared resonator

The operation of 1.48-μm flared resonators is thoroughly studied, both experimentally and theoretically: the accurate determination of threshold condition as a function of geometrical and material parameters, the study of emission spectra and astigmatism variations as a function of optical power level allow us to better understand the may these devices operate. The origin of modal distortion is then analyzed, and an original solution is proposed to increase the single-transverse-mode power at high injection level: it is shown that implanting the multiple-quantum-well active layer with protons efficiently enhances the filtering capability of the overall structure, and particularly that of the ridge waveguide, by bringing additional lateral absorption losses. The explanation of the filtering mechanism is successfully confirmed by simulations using the beam-propagation method. This technique finally allowed more than 1.3 W of continuous wave (CW) diffraction-limited power at 6 A. Low-modal-gain structures were then realized to reduce modal optical absorption in the implanted structures with a view to maintaining a high external efficiency and a reduced vertical divergence. Finally, a three-lens coupling system was designed and the effects of optical feedback minimized so as to obtain a very high coupling efficiency: with an improved laser design, 1.12 W of CW power were then coupled into single-mode fiber at 6.6 A, which represents 65% of the power emitted by the laser chip     

1.3-μm InAsP n-type modulation-doped MQW lasers grown bygas-source molecular beam epitaxy

The effect of n-type modulation doping as well as growth temperature on the threshold current density of 1.3-μm InAsP strained multiple-quantum-well (MQW) lasers grown by gas-source molecular beam epitaxy (GSMBE) was investigated for the first time. We have obtained threshold current density as low as 250 A/cm² for 1200-μm long devices. The threshold current density per well for infinite cavity length J_th/N_w∞ of 57 A/cm² was obtained for the optimum n-doping density (N_D=1×10¹⁸ cm^-3) and the optimum growth temperature (515°C for InP and 455°C for the SCH-MQW region), which is about 30% reduction as compared with that of undoped MQW lasers. A very low continuous-wave threshold current of 0.9 mA have been obtained at room temperature, which is the lowest ever reported for long-wavelength lasers using n-type modulation doping, and the lowest results grown by all kinds of MBE in the long-wavelength region. The differential gain was estimated by the measurement of relative intensity noise. No significant reduction of differential gain was observed for n-type MD-MQW lasers as compared with undoped MQW lasers. The carrier lifetime was also reduced by about 33% by using n-type MD-MQW lasers. Both reduction of the threshold current and the carrier lifetime lead to the reduction of the turn-on delay time by about 30%. The 1.3-μm InAsP strained MQW lasers using n-type modulation doping with very low power consumption and small turn-on delay is very attractive for laser array application in high-density parallel optical interconnection systems     

Narrow-beam divergence 1.3-μm multiple-quantum-well laser diodeswith monolithically integrated tapered thickness waveguide

This paper describes the optimum design, fabrication, and performance of a 1.3-μm multiple-quantum-well (MQW) laser diode monolithically integrated with a tapered thickness spot-size transformer. The dependence of the lasing characteristics on the thickness distribution of the core layer and on the current injection profile of the device were analyzed. This integrated laser with its optimized structure performed at a low threshold current of 22.2 mA, even at 85°C. The integrated spot-size transformer effectively reduced the lateral and vertical far-field FWHM's to 8° and 9°, respectively. A very long lifetime of over 1×10⁵ h was estimated at 85°C and 8 mW under CW operation     

Ultralow threshold 1.3-μm InGaAsP-InP compressive-strainedmultiquantum-well monolithic laser array for parallel high-densityoptical interconnects

An ultralow-threshold 1.3-μm InGaAsP-InP 10-element monolithic laser array is achieved through careful optimization of a strained multiquantum-well active layer, especially the amount of strain, the well thickness, the barrier thickness, the number of wells, and the active laser width. This array has a record-low threshold current, highly uniform threshold current characteristics (1.3±0.09 mA and slope efficiency of 0.37±0.01 W/A), extremely low operating current of 14 mA under 5-mW output power, and long-term reliability. This array is suitable as light sources for a parallel high-density optical interconnection system. In addition, a record low CW threshold current of 0.58 mA at 20°C and 1.62 mA at 90°C, as a long-wavelength laser, is obtained by employing a short cavity (100 μm) uith high-reflection coatings     

Reliable wide-temperature-range operation of 1.3-μmbeam-expander integrated laser diode for passively aligned opticalmodules

A novel structure for a 1.3-μm beam-expander integrated (BEX) laser diode is demonstrated. It combines a thickness-tapered InGaAsP-InP multiple quantum-well (QW) crystal grown by a novel silicon shadow masked metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy and a simple reverse-trapezoid-ridge waveguide laser structure that offers smooth mode field expansion and improved high-temperature lasing performance. We found this new BEX laser quite suitable for operation over a wide range of temperatures above 85°C and highly efficient lens-free coupling to a single-mode fiber (SMF) of less than 3 dB. These excellent lasing properties along with reliability under severe environmental conditions make this BEX-LD a promising candidate for practical use for low-cost long-wavelength light-source modules using optical passive alignment techniques     

Room-temperature operation of GaInAsN-GaAs laser diodes in the1.5-μm range

GaInAsN-GaAs double quantum-well (DQW) laser structures emitting in the 1.5-μm range were grown by solid source molecular beam epitaxy using a radio frequency plasma source for nitrogen activation. Lasing operation in the 1.5-μm wavelength region has been realized for fabricated ridge waveguide laser diodes (LDs) under pulsed condition up to record high temperatures of 80°C resulting in an emission wavelength of 1540 nm. This is the highest emission wavelength for laser diode operation based on GaAs. In addition, to investigate the optical properties of the active region, photoluminescence studies of underlying GaInAsN-GaAs QW structures emitting at wavelengths up to 1.55 μm are presented     

Performance and physics of quantum-dot lasers with self-assembledcolumnar-shaped and 1.3-μm emitting InGaAs quantum dots

This paper reports recent developments of our self-assembled InGaAs quantum-dot (QD) lasers and their unique physical properties. We achieved a low-threshold current of 5.4 mA at room temperature with our originally designed columnar-shaped QD's, and also, room-temperature 1.3-μm continuous-wave (CW) lasing with self-assembled dots grown at a decreased growth rate and covered by a strained InGaAs layer. We discuss influence of homogeneous broadening of single-dot optical gain on lasing spectra, influence of nonradiative carrier recombination on temperature characteristics of threshold currents, a model for the origin of the homogeneous broadening, a finding of random telegraph signals, and suppression of temperature sensitivity of interband emission energy by covering dots with a strained InGaAs layer     

High-power highly-reliable operation of 0.98-μm InGaAs-InGaPstrain-compensated single-quantum-well lasers with tensile-strainedInGaAsP barriers

We compared 0.98-μm lasers with a strain-compensated active layer consisting of a compressive InGaAs well and tensile-strained InGaAsP barriers with identical lasers that have a conventional active layer with GaAs barriers. It was shown that the lasers with InGaAsP barriers have better temperature characteristics due to the larger energy gap difference between a well and barriers. Because of the high characteristic temperature, 200-mW operation was obtained with the InGaAsP-barrier laser even at 90°C without any significant deterioration. We also showed that the operation of the lasers with a strain-compensated active layer was highly reliable. The degradation rate of these lasers was four times smaller than that of the lasers with GaAs barriers due to the better crystal quality in their active laser. The estimated lifetime at 25°C for the lasers with a strain-compensated active layer was more than 170000 hours     

Ultrahigh-frequency self-pulsations under gain-switching modulationin 1.5-μm dynamical single-mode monolithic compound-cavitysemiconductor lasers: Experiment and theory

The generation of 50-130-GHz high-frequency self-pulsations in ultrafast gain-switched InGaAs-InGaAsP dynamical single-mode monolithic compound-cavity lasers is studied in this paper. With various cavity lengths, the dependence of the pulsation frequency on the length of the respective cavity is shown and analyzed in detail. To explain the observed phenomena, a dynamic theory of the semiconductor laser amplifier is described which takes into account the coherent time-dependent amplification, shortening, and reflection of an incident picosecond optical pulse in the gain-switched amplifier. With the presented model, the theoretical simulation results agree well with the experimental observations     

The temperature dependence of 1.3- and 1.5-μm compressivelystrained InGaAs(P) MQW semiconductor lasers

We have studied experimentally and theoretically the spontaneous emission from 1.3- and 1.5-μm compressively strained InGaAsP multiple-quantum-well lasers in the temperature range 90-400 K to determine the variation of carrier density n with current I up to threshold. We find that the current contributing to spontaneous emission at threshold I_Rad is always well behaved and has a characteristic temperature T₀ (I_Rad)≈T, as predicted by simple theory. This implies that the carrier density at threshold is also proportional to temperature. Below a breakpoint temperature T_B, we find I α n^Z, where Z=2. And the total current at threshold I_th also has a characteristic temperature T₀ (I_th)≈T, showing that the current is dominated by radiative transitions right up to threshold. Above T_B, Z increases steadily to Z≈3 and T₀ (I_th) decreases to a value less than T/3. This behavior is explained in terms of the onset of Auger recombination above T_B; a conclusion supported by measurements of the pressure dependence of I_th. From our results, we estimate that, at 300 K, Auger recombination accounts for 50% of I_th in the 1.3-μm laser and 80% of I_th in the 1.5-μm laser. Measurements of the spontaneous emission and differential efficiency indicate that a combination of increased optical losses and carrier overflow into the barrier and separate confinement heterostructure regions may further degrade T₀ (I_th) above room temperature     

Efficient 1.94-μm Tm:YALO laser

Laser emission from Tm:YALO is observed over the range 1.93-2.00 μm. A model including reabsorption loss and polarization effects, predicting the output wavelength as a function of laser parameters, is used to design a Tm:YALO laser with output restricted to 1.94 μm, without employing a tuning element. This laser is potentially useful for medical applications, offing to the strong absorption coefficient at 1.94 μm in liquid water (twice that of the 2.02-μm Tm:YAG laser and four times that of the 2.09-μm Ho:YAG laser)     

1.55-μm InP-lattice-matched VCSELs with AlGaAsSb-AlAsSb DBRs

We review the design, fabrication, and characterization of 1.55-μm lattice-matched vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers, operating continuous wave up to 88°C. For one embodiment, the threshold current is 800 μA, the differential quantum efficiency is 23%, and the maximum output power is more than 1 mW at 20°C and 110 μW at 80°C. The basic structure consists of AlAsSb-AlGaAsSb mirrors, which provide both high reflectivity and an InP-lattice-matched structure. The quaternary mirrors have poor electrical and thermal conductivities, which can raise the device temperature. However, a double-intracavity-contacted structure along with thick n-type InP cladding layers circumvents these drawbacks and finally leads to an excellent performance. The measured voltage and thermal impedances are much lower for the intracavity-contacted device than an air-post structure in which current is injected through the Sb-based quaternary mirror. The structure utilizes an undercut aperture for current and optical confinement. The aperture reduces scattering loss at the etched mirror and contributes to high differential efficiency and low threshold current density     

1.55-μm vertical-cavity laser arrays for wavelength-divisionmultiplexing

We report on the fabrication and operation of the first electrically pumped 1.55-μm vertical-cavity laser array for wavelength-division-multiplexing applications. The array consisted of four channels operating between 1509 and 1524 nm. Wafer bonding was used to integrate GaAs-AlGaAs distributed Bragg reflectors with an InP-InGaAsP active region