Generation of picosecond pulses at five close wavelengths by use of a self-seeded Fabry–Perot laser diode and a spectrum-split fiber Bragg grating

Abstract

We have demonstrated simultaneous generation of stable picosecond laser pulses at five close wavelengths at a pulse repetition rate of approximately 2 GHz by using a self-seeding configuration that consisted of a gain-switched Fabry-Perot laser diode (FPLD) with an external cavity formed by a tunable spectrum-split fiber Bragg grating (FBG). The FBG selected only one of the modes of the FPLD and, at the same time, filtered the selected FPLD mode such that the reflection from the FBG, tapped with a directional coupler, provided an output of dual-wavelength pulses and the transmission through the FBG provided an output of three-wavelength pulses. We could change the intensities and the wavelength separations of the pulses by adjusting the modulating radio frequency and the temperature of the FPLD and the separation of the FBG reflection peaks. In our experiments the highest side-mode suppression ratios of the pulses obtained were 44.5 dB for the dual-wavelength output and 25.0 dB for the three-wavelength output. Also, the laser was demonstrated to minimize pulse intensity imbalance and produce equally separated wavelengths (with a wavelength separation of 0.2 nm). This simple laser offers considerable flexibility for various applications.