Open AccessWidely tunable multimode-interference based coupled cavity laser with integrated interferometer
Author(s) -
D. D’Agostino,
D. Lenstra,
H.P.M.M. Ambrosius,
M.K. Smit
Publication year - 2018
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.26.014159
Subject(s) - interferometry , optics , michelson interferometer , fabry–pérot interferometer , materials science , lasing threshold , coupling (piping) , free spectral range , interference (communication) , laser , astronomical interferometer , multi mode optical fiber , optoelectronics , optical fiber , physics , telecommunications , channel (broadcasting) , metallurgy , computer science
We present a simple to process tunable laser, fabricated in a low-cost generic fabrication process and based on two coupled Fabry-Perot cavities. The complex coupling coefficients of the coupling element are analytically derived from a 3×3 MMI using coupled mode theory and chosen to maximize the SMSR during lasing operation. Additionally, one of the cavities contains a reflective interferometer, which acts as coarse wavelength selector. This interferometer is derived from a Michelson Interferometer, by replacing the two independent mirrors with our optimized coupling element, leading to a doubled Free Spectral Range. As a result, we obtained a tuning range of 26 nm with potential for beyond 40 nm, a SMSR larger than 40 dB and fiber coupled power up to 9 dBm.