Hybrid integration of InP-based DFB laser and Mach-Zehnder electro-optic modulator by using waveguide end-face coupling

Abstract

High performance optical transmitter with large bandwidth and high output power is one of the most important device in optical communications, 5th generation wireless systems and microwave photonics. We demonstrated an optical transmitter consisting of an InP-based large bandwidth travelling wave electrode (TWE) Mach-Zehnder electro-optic (EO) modulator hybrid integration with a high power distributed feedback (DFB) laser. The hybrid integration scheme was carefully designed. By using waveguide end-face coupling, the light from the InP-based DFB laser was effectively coupled into the input port of the Mach-Zehnder electro-optic modulator. A bright optical pattern at the output port of the EO modulator was observed. The output power of the integrated transmitter was measured about 0.27 mW with an inject current of 250 mA at room temperature. The transmission performance of high frequency signal was also verified by applying a microwave signal of 33 GHz. The results indicate that the simple and effective solution for hybrid integration of laser and EO modulator has potential applications in high speed optical communications.