Monolithic integration of Mach-Zehnder modulators with Sampled Grating Distributed Bragg Reflector lasers

Abstract

The growing demand for optical and RF bandwidth at lower cost continues to drive the integration of photonic circuits. Devices have been fabricated that integrate Distributed Feedback lasers (DFBs) with Electro-Absorption Modulators (EAMs) [1], or Mach-Zehnder (MZ) modulators [2]. More recently, tunable Sampled-Grating Distributed-Bragg-Reflector (SGDBR) lasers have been integrated with EAMs [3] and Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers [4] (SOAs) to provide full C-Band tunabihty with over lOdB RF extinction and 30-40mW output power [5]. The SGDBR is well suited for integration with modulators and other components due to the lithographically defined mirrors that do not require facet reflections for operation. The incorporation of a Mach-Zehnder interferometer allows for tailorable chirp and a relatively low drive voltage for modulation (<2V) without the coupling losses associated with discrete devices. This compact MZ-SGDBR transmitter is well suited for both digital and analog applications.