Picosecond switching dynamics of a bistable-wavelength-latchtwo-segment distributed feedback laser

The bistable-wavelength-latch operation of a two-segment distributed-feedback laser was observed and characterized. Short electrical trigger pulses were used to demonstrate mode power switching in less than 200 ps with only 450-ps delay between set and reset pulses. Spectrally resolved measurements show transient spectral broadening during the bistable wavelength switching. Fast laser wavelength switching is important for wavelength-division-multiplex photonic switching systems