Open AccessWidely tunable semiconductor lasers with three interferometric arms
Author(s) -
Guan-Lin Su,
M.C. Wu
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.25.021400
Subject(s) - optics , semiconductor laser theory , lasing threshold , laser , interferometry , tunable laser , optoelectronics , interference (communication) , semiconductor , materials science , physics , telecommunications , computer science , channel (broadcasting)
We present a comprehensive study for a new three-branch widely tunable semiconductor laser based on a self-imaging, lossless multi-mode interference (MMI) coupler. We have developed a general theoretical framework that is applicable to all types of interferometric lasers. Our analysis showed that the three-branch laser offers high side-mode suppression ratios (SMSRs) while maintaining a wide tuning range and a low threshold modal gain of the lasing mode. We also present the design rules for tuning over the dense-wavelength division multiplexing grid over the C-band.