Distributed Feedback Laser Array Research Articles

Investigation of the Doppler Frequency Shift Effect on Inter-Channel Switching Time of Free-space Optically Switched Communication Networks with Distributed Feedback Laser Array Technique

To assess the impact of Doppler frequency shift and channel crosstalk on the performance of a four-channel free-space optically switched communication network, particularly in scenarios involving low Earth orbit satellites, we derived a bit error rate model under the influence of satellite-ground Doppler frequency shift and channel crosstalk in atmospheric turbulence. This model focuses on studying a four-channel distributed feedback (DFB) laser array through numerical simulation. We initially analyzed the effect of crosstalk on the system's switching time in the absence of Doppler frequency shift. Our research revealed that as the channel spacing increased, the impact of crosstalk on the system's optical switching time decreased. We utilized a primary power compensation solution, adjusting the output optical power for different channel spacings, to mitigate the influence of crosstalk on the system's switching time. After eliminating the effects of crosstalk, we further examined the impact of Doppler frequency shift on the system's switching time for different channel spacings. We proposed a secondary power compensation solution to mitigate the effects of both crosstalk and Doppler frequency shift on the system's switching time. Finally, through simulation experiments, we set the output optical power of the laser to 10.42mw when switching from channel 1 to channel 2, 9.05mw when switching from channel 1 to channel 3, and 8.68mw when switching from channel 1 to channel 4, ensuring a uniform switching time of 10ns. Our research results provide a solid theoretical foundation for enhancing the performance of free-space optically switched communication networks and for mitigating the impact of Doppler frequency shift on system switching time.

Demonstration of THz frequency hopping in the 300 GHz band based on UTC-PD and tunable DFB laser array

We explored the potential of an optoelectronic frequency hopping system within the 300 GHz band, leveraging a tunable distributed feedback laser array and uni-traveling carrier photodiode. Our experiments successfully achieved a 10-channel terahertz (THz) frequency hopping, marking a significant advancement in THz secure communication technologies. Notably, the system exhibited a rapid frequency-hopping capability with a short transition time of 0.8 ms between channels, ranging from 288 to 331 GHz. Further, we conducted data transmission tests at a rate of 5 Gbit s−1 across several channels. The results were promising, showing each channel maintained a clear eye pattern and a low bit error rate, crucial factors for reliable and secure data transmission. These findings not only demonstrate the efficacy of our system but also open new avenues for high-speed, secure THz communication.

Multitap microwave photonic filter based on a DFB laser array using photonic wire bonding

We propose and experimentally demonstrate a multitap microwave photonic filter (MPF) based on a distributed feedback (DFB) laser array using photonic wire bonding (PWB). Through the application of the PWB technique, an eight-wavelength DFB laser array with wavelength spacing of 400 GHz was hybrid-integrated with an arrayed waveguide grating multiplexer. Remarkably, the insertion losses of all eight channels are maintained below 5 dB. In the experiments, the larger wavelength spacing allowed us to achieve a sinc MPF with a lower 3 dB bandwidth of 0.22 GHz using only eight taps. Further, Gaussian apodization enabled the out-of-band rejection of the filter to reach 24 dB. These results indicate that the proposed scheme could provide a promising guideline for the MPFs that demand high reconfigurability and greatly reduced size and complexity.

High-power eight-wavelength distributed feedback laser array with 100 GHz spacing using grating reflector

High-power eight-wavelength distributed feedback laser array with 100 GHz spacing using grating reflector

Highly-reflective facet-coated multi-wavelength DFB laser array with exact wavelength spacings.

A distributed feedback (DFB) laser array of twenty wavelengths with highly reflective and anti-reflective (HR-AR) coated facets is both theoretically analyzed and experimentally validated. While the HR facet coating enhances high wall-plug efficiency, it inadvertently introduces a random facet grating phase, thereby compromising the lasing wavelength's predictability and the stability of the single-longitudinal-mode (SLM). In this study, two key advancements are introduced: first, the precisely spaced wavelength is achieved with an error of within ±0.2 nm using the reconstruction-equivalent-chirp (REC) technique; second, the random grating phase on the HR-coated facet is compensated by a controllable distributed phase shift through a two-section laser structure. The SLM stability can be improved while the wavelength can be continuously tuned to the standard wavelength grid. The overall chip size is compact with an area of 4000 × 500 µm2. The proposed laser array has a light power intensity above 13 dBm per wavelength, a high side mode suppression ratio above 50 dB, and low relative intensity noise under -160 dB/Hz. These attributes make it apt for deployment in DWDM-based optical communication systems and as a light source for optical I/O.

Rayleigh backscattering-based simultaneous linewidth narrowing of a multi-wavelength DFB laser array with an arbitrary wavelength spacing.

Simultaneous linewidth narrowing of a multi-wavelength laser array with an arbitrary wavelength spacing based on Rayleigh backscattering is experimentally demonstrated. Rayleigh backscattering from a single 30 m high numerical aperture fiber (HNAF) is employed to simultaneously narrow the linewidths of a DFB laser array consisting of four distributed feedback (DFB) semiconductor lasers with different wavelengths. Experimental results show that the instantaneous linewidths of the four DFB lasers can be simultaneously narrowed from megahertz to kilohertz no matter whether the wavelength spacing between the lasers is equally spaced or not, verifying the self-adaptivity of Rayleigh backscattering on laser linewidth narrowing. The method demonstrated here is also applicable for on-chip waveguides without wavelength dependence, providing a more compact narrow linewidth laser array for the wavelength-multiplexing division system and other promising applications.

Time- and wavelength-division multiplexed interrogation of fiber Bragg gratings based on dual-wavelength differential detection

The dual-wavelength differential detection technique is used to interrogate fiber Bragg grating sensors. A directly modulated distributed-feedback laser array acts as a multi-wavelength, frequency-scanning pulsed light source. Pulse pairs with frequency drift and identical intensities are generated at three wavelengths. By interrogating 10 serially connected Bragg gratings at the three wavelengths using these pulse trains, we realize a time- and wavelength-division multiplexed temperature sensor system based on dual-wavelength differential detection using a simple setup.

10×10 Gbs directly modulated DFB laser array based on the REC technique.

We proposed and experimentally demonstrated a directly modulated distributed feedback (DFB) laser array with a transmission rate of 100Gbps (10c h a n n e l s×10G b p s). The grating design is based on the reconstruction equivalent chirp (REC) technique, which enables precise control of the channel wavelength spacing to 100GHz, as specified in the ITU-DWDM standard. DFB laser arrays incorporating the REC technique demonstrate excellent consistency performance, with a side-mode suppression ratio exceeding 48dB, threshold current of approximately 20mA, and modulation bandwidth of greater than 13GHz at a bias current of 100mA. We evaluated the laser's performance by loading a 10Gbps nonreturn-to-zero signal onto the laser using direct modulation and transmitting it over a 10km single-mode fiber. Based on our experimental results, the proposed DFB laser array is promising to be utilized in the next generation of low-cost, 100Gbps DWDM communication systems.

Narrow linewidth semiconductor multi-wavelength DFB laser array simultaneously self-injection locked to a single microring resonator.

We experimentally demonstrate a narrow linewidth semiconductor multi-wavelength distributed feedback (DFB) laser array by simultaneously injection locking each laser to the corresponding resonance of a single on-chip microring resonator. The white frequency noises of all the DFB lasers is reduced by more than 40 dB once they are simultaneously injection locked to a single microring resonator with a quality factor (Q-factor) of 2.38 million. Correspondingly, the instantaneous linewidths of all the DFB lasers are narrowed by a factor of 104. In addition, frequency combs originating from non-degenerate four-wave mixing (FWM) between the locked DFB lasers are also observed. Simultaneously injection locking multi-wavelength lasers to a single on-chip resonator may enable the possibilities of integrating a narrow-linewidth semiconductor laser array on a single chip and having multiple microcombs in a single resonator, which are in high demand in wavelength division multiplexing coherent optical communication systems and metrological applications.

Dual-Wavelength Differential Detection of FBGs Using a Frequency-Scanning Pulsed Laser

The dual-wavelength differential detection of fiber Bragg gratings is reported. A directly modulated distributed-feedback laser array is used as a frequency-scanning pulsed light source. Trains of four 100-ns pulses with a frequency drift of 6.5 GHz and the same intensity are generated. Interrogating two serially connected Bragg gratings using the pulse trains, we show the selectivity of the high-sensitivity measurement and the wide measurement range, and the possibility of expansion to time-division multiplexing systems with a simple setup.

DFB laser array based on four phase-shifted sampled Bragg gratings with precise wavelength control.

A four-laser array based on sampled Bragg grating distributed feedback (DFB) lasers in which each sampled period contains four phase-shift sections is proposed, fabricated, and experimentally demonstrated. The wavelength spacing between adjacent lasers is accurately controlled to 0.8 nm ± 0.026 nm and the lasers have single mode suppression ratios larger than 50 dB. Using an integrated semiconductor optical amplifier, the output power can reach 33 mW and the optical linewidth of the DFB lasers can be as narrow as 64 kHz. This laser array uses a ridge waveguide with sidewall gratings and needs only one metalorganic vapor-phase epitaxy (MOVPE) step and one III-V material etching process, simplifying the whole device fabrication process, and meeting the requirements of dense wavelength division multiplexing systems.

Research Progress of Monolithic Integrated DFB Laser Arrays for Optical Communication

Photonic integrated circuits (PICs) play a leading role in modern information and communications technology. Among the core devices in PICs is the distributed feedback (DFB) multi-wavelength semiconductor laser array. Multi-wavelength semiconductor laser arrays can be integrated on a single chip and have the advantages of high stability, good single-mode performance, and narrow line width. The wavelength tuning range has been expanded through the design of the DFB laser array, which is an ideal light source for wavelength-division multiplexing systems. The preparation of DFB laser arrays with a large number of channels, ease of mass production, and accurate emission wavelengths has become an important field of research. The connection methods of lasers in DFB laser arrays are introduced systematically and the current methods of manufacturing multi-wavelength DFB laser arrays covering the perspective of technical principles, technical advantages and disadvantages, main research progress, and research status are summarized.

Strategy of full-C-band fast wavelength switching and aging mitigation at tunable DFB laser array with current/temperature cooperative control

We proposed a current/temperature cooperative control to solve the problem of laser aging in the conventional fast wavelength switching method when injecting a larger current at the tunable distributed feedback (DFB) laser array (TLA). Previously, we demonstrated a 400 GHz wide uni-directional switching at a single DFB laser in the TLA with the cooperative control, which switched fastly and retarded laser aging. For large-scale optical communication systems, we have improved the cooperative control method and expanded its application scenarios. In this paper, we not only proposed and achieved bi-directional wavelength switching with cooperative control at a single DFB laser but also realized bi-directional wavelength switching with cooperative control covering full-C-band at two DFB lasers of the TLA. We demonstrated that the switching time is less than 200 ms and estimated that the TLA’s lifetime is improved by more than 40 times.

Tunable In-series Laser Array With Duplex Distributed Feedback Sections

The tunable laser based on distributed feedback (DFB) laser array has a good single-longitudinal-mode property, high wavelength stability, narrow spectrum linewidth, and feasibility for monolithic integration. The tunable in-series DFB laser array (TIDLA) was proposed to avoid the large extra power loss by the optical combiner. But in the TIDLA, a large laser count will cause a large chip length, which brings about low utilization ratio of material, poor mechanical strength, and large power consumption. In this paper, we demonstrated a 4-channel TIDLA with duplex DFB sections. The total chip length was greatly shortened owing the duplexing of DFB sections. A long linearly chirped Bragg grating is implemented in the laser cavity to reduce the grating interference among different lasers. Multiple π phase shifts and two reflector sections are introduced to improve the mode stability. The designed channel spacing is 100 GHz, and the reconstruction-equivalent-chirp technique is used to provide high precision control of the grating phase. Noted that a variation of 0.1 nm in grating period will cause that of 0.65 nm in wavelength. Output power of above 4 mW, SMSR of above 42 dB, and small wavelength deviation of within 0.15 nm was obtained. Besides, fast channel switches of less than 1 <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">μ</i> s are obtained by laser on/off switching. The proposed TIDLA might be applied in the NG-PON2 network where the dense wavelength division multiplexing technique and fast channel switching are required.

Wavelength-Division Multiplexed Interrogation of FBGs Using a Distributed-Feedback Laser Array

Wavelength-division multiplexed interrogation of fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) is reported. A directly modulated distributed-feedback laser array is used as a multi-wavelength, frequency scanning, pulsed-light source. A heterodyne detection technique is used to increase the signal-to-noise ratio of weak reflection signals. Reflections from three fiber Bragg gratings with different peak wavelengths are simultaneously observed as beat oscillations. Reflection spectra are clearly seen with a signal-to-noise ratio of approximately 20 dB from the three fiber Bragg gratings with a reflectivity of 1% and an interval of approximately 1.5 m.

A compact portable photoacoustic spectroscopy sensor for multiple trace gas detection

A compact, highly sensitive, and cost-effective photoacoustic spectroscopic sensor for multiple trace gas detection was reported with a self-designed compact distributed feedback laser array and a 2-channel dual phase field programmable gate array based digital lock-in amplifier, only twentieth in size and weight of the commercial instruments. The capability of the portable sensor was verified by measuring CH4 and C2H2 simultaneously. With an integrated nonlocal means algorithm denoising, noise-equivalent concentrations were achieved as 6.89 ppb for CH4 and 2.74 ppb for C2H2, respectively, corresponding to a normalized noise equivalent absorption coefficient of 1.1 × 10−10 cm−1 W/Hz−1/2, a 79 folds higher than the original data. The results demonstrate that the developed minimized sensor has the potential for sensitive and portable measurement of multiple trace gases.

High-performance distributed feedback quantum dot lasers with laterally coupled dielectric gratings

The combination of grating-based frequency-selective optical feedback mechanisms, such as distributed feedback (DFB) or distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) structures, with quantum dot (QD) gain materials is a main approach towards ultrahigh-performance semiconductor lasers for many key novel applications, as either stand-alone sources or on-chip sources in photonic integrated circuits. However, the fabrication of conventional buried Bragg grating structures on GaAs, GaAs/Si, GaSb, and other material platforms has been met with major material regrowth difficulties. We report a novel and universal approach of introducing laterally coupled dielectric Bragg gratings to semiconductor lasers that allows highly controllable, reliable, and strong coupling between the grating and the optical mode. We implement such a grating structure in a low-loss amorphous silicon material alongside GaAs lasers with InAs/GaAs QD gain layers. The resulting DFB laser arrays emit at pre-designed 0.8 THz local area network wavelength division multiplexing frequency intervals in the 1300 nm band with record performance parameters, including sidemode suppression ratios as high as 52.7 dB, continuous-wave output power of 26.6 mW (room temperature) and 6 mW (at 55°C), and ultralow relative intensity noise (RIN) of &lt; − 165 dB / Hz (2.5–20 GHz). The devices are also capable of isolator-free operating under very high external reflection levels of up to − 12.3 dB while maintaining high spectral purity and ultralow RIN qualities. These results validate the novel laterally coupled dielectric grating as a technologically superior and potentially cost-effective approach for fabricating DFB and DBR lasers free of their semiconductor material constraints, which are thus universally applicable across different material platforms and wavelength bands.

Ultra-narrow-linewidth DFB laser array based on dual-cavity feedback.

Herein, we propose a structure to simultaneously compress the distributed feedback (DFB) laser array's linewidth. The proposed structure is meticulously designed to ensure single longitudinal mode operation via the interference phenomenon between the laser's primary cavity and the dual-cavity feedback. Given the weak feedback effect for each wavelength in the laser array, the proposed structure could realize the intense compression of the laser linewidths. The study results show that the side-mode suppression ratios of each DFB laser are over 40 dB, and the linewidths have been compressed from 3 MHz to ∼800 Hz. Thus, we believe the idea of an overall compression linewidth scheme in the present study can be adopted for integrated laser arrays.

Time-division multiplexed interrogation of nearly identical fiber Bragg gratings based on a heterodyne detection technique

Time-division multiplexed interrogation of three nearly identical fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) is reported. A directly modulated distributed-feedback laser array is used as a frequency-scanning pulse source. Weak reflections from the FBGs are temporally resolved as beat signals with a high signal-to-noise ratio using heterodyne detection. Reflection spectra from the FBGs with a reflectivity of 1% and spatial intervals of 4.5 m are observed. Finally, the application of this technique to systems with 20 identical FBGs is discussed.

Fast Wavelength Switching at Tunable DFB Laser Array by Current/Temperature Cooperative Control

We proposed a new control method of the tunable distributed feedback (DFB) laser array (TLA) to realize high-speed optical switching by changing the injection current without sacrificing reliability. Previous studies of high-speed wavelength switching at DFB lasers achieved a sub-second switching time by injecting a large current to the active layer. However, a large injection current caused laser degradation that seriously reduced laser lifetime and reliability. In this paper, based on fast wavelength switching by injection current control, a new switching method was proposed that reduces an averaged injection current by increasing temperature. We successfully demonstrated 400-GHz-wide wavelength switching, which is the maximum tuning range of a single DFB laser in the TLA, with a switching time of 130 ms and reduced the injection current from 402 to 52 mA. Thus, we were able to greatly improve the reliability and increase the lifetime of the TLA by 60 times.