Improved performance of 1.3 µm InGaAsP–InP lasers with an AlInAs electron stopper layer

Abstract

We have fabricated 1.3 µm InGaAsP–InP strained-layer multi-quantum-well (MQW) lasers with an AlInAs electron stopper layer (ESL). The ESL was inserted between the MQW active layer and the p-side separate confinement heterostructure (SCH) layer to suppress electron leakage in the conduction band from the active region to the p-cladding layer. Lasers with an ESL exhibited much improved temperature characteristics of threshold current and external slope efficiency. As a result, a lower power penalty of 2.2 dB from 25 °C to 85 °C was achieved at an injected current of 60 mA. The insertion of an AlInAs ESL into the SCH layer is a successful way to realize the uncooled operation of 1.3 µm InGaAsP–InP lasers at high temperatures.