Distributed Feedback Laser Research Articles

Direct laser writing of resonant periodic nanostructures in thin light-emitting films of CdSe/CdZnS core/shell nanoplatelets

Core/shell CdSe/CdZnS nanoplatelets (NPLs) are a promising class of nanomaterials for lasing applications owing to their low thresholds and high stability of stimulated emission generation as compared with many other types of colloids. Moreover, they can be self-assembled into high-quality thin films by simple methods of deposition. However, the high throughput and reproducible methods for nanopatterning of such films for advanced light-emitting applications are still missing. In this work, we show direct laser writing on thin films assembled from CdSe/CdZnS NPLs using either spin-coating or the self-assembly method for the purpose of fabricating. Using theoretical calculations, we design the period of the structures to achieve high quality-factor optical modes in the emission band of NPLs. In these nanostructured NPL films, fabricated according to the design, we observe photoluminescence enhancement and directional outcoupling effects. The proposed approach holds great potential for LEDs with improved outcoupling and for distributed feedback lasers or lasers based on bound states in the continuum with directly written optical cavities.

Quantum-cascade-laser-absorption-spectroscopy diagnostic for temperature, pressure, and NO X 2 Π 1/2 at 500 kHz in shock-heated air at elevated pressures.

The design, validation, and application of a quantum-cascade-laser-absorption-spectroscopy diagnostic for measuring gas temperature, pressure, and nitric oxide (NO) in high-temperature air are presented. A distributed-feedback quantum-cascade laser (QCL) centered near 1976c m -1 was used to scan across two transitions of NO in its ground electronic state (X 2 Π 1/2). A measurement rate of 500kHz was achieved using a single QCL by: (1) performing current modulation through a bias-tee, and (2) targeting closely spaced transitions with a large difference in lower-state energy. The diagnostic was validated in a mixture of 95% argon and 5% NO, which was shock-heated to ≈2000 to 3700K. The average mean percent differences between laser-absorption-spectroscopy (LAS) measurements and predictions from shock-jump relations for temperature, pressure, and NO mole fraction were 3.1%, 4.1%, and 6.5%, respectively. The diagnostic was then applied to characterize shock-heated air at high temperatures (up to ≈5500K) and high pressures (up to 12atm) behind either incident or reflected shocks. The LAS measurements were compared to theoretical predictions from shock-jump relations, pressure sensors mounted in the wall of the shock tube, and equilibrium values of the NO mole fraction. The average mean percent differences between LAS measurements and their aforementioned reference values were 3.2%, 10.8%, and 10.4% for temperature, pressure, and NO mole fraction, respectively. Last, a comparison between a measured NO mole fraction time history and a time-stepped homogeneous reactor simulation performed using two different chemical kinetics mechanisms is presented.

Wavelength-division multiplexing communications using integrated soliton microcomb laser source.

In this Letter, we report an investigation of the feasibility and performance of wavelength-division multiplexed (WDM) optical communications using an integrated perfect soliton crystal as the multi-channel laser source. First, we confirm that perfect soliton crystals pumped directly by a distributed-feedback (DFB) laser self-injection locked to the host microcavity has sufficiently low frequency and amplitude noise to encode advanced data formats. Second, perfect soliton crystals are exploited to boost the power level of each microcomb line, so that it can be directly used for data modulation, excluding preamplification. Third, in a proof-of-concept experiment, we demonstrate seven-channel 16-quadrature amplitude modulation (16-QAM) and 4-level pulse amplitude modulation (PAM4) data transmissions using an integrated perfect soliton crystal as the laser carrier; excellent data receiving performance is obtained for various fiber link distances and amplifier configurations. Our study reveals that fully integrated Kerr soliton microcombs are viable and advantageous for optical data communications.

Control of emission diffraction angles and laser threshold in mixed-order sampled distributed feedback laser with organic gain media

The control of laser emission angles in laser devices is essential for many optoelectronic and photonic applications such as optical sensing and displays. In this context, we studied the light diffraction pattern of laser beams in a one-dimensional sampled distributed feedback resonator having organic gain media. The gratings consist of the repetition of supercells having a mixed-order sampled grating in which 1st-order gratings surround a 2nd-order grating. The experimental results showed that the diffraction angles of the laser beams are quite diverse depending on the supercell structures. We demonstrate that the interval of the diffraction angle (θ) of the laser beams is inversely proportional to the length of the supercell experimentally and theoretically. By tuning the length of supercells as well as the length of 1st-order and 2nd-order regions, the interval θ was tuned from 0.1° to 43° with the different arc emission patterns. With the reduction of θ, i.e., the longer 1st-order region, a significant decrease in the laser threshold was obtained, resulting in the lowest lasing threshold of 2.5 ± 0.1 μJ/cm2 with ∼3.5 ns of a long pulse width excitation source.

Single-mode interband cascade laser with a slotted waveguide

The design of a single-mode interband cascade laser (ICL) using a slotted waveguide is presented. This technique was explored as an inexpensive alternative to distributed feedback lasers since standard photolithography can be used in fabrication and complex techniques, such as e-beam lithography, re-growth steps, and/or metal gratings, can be avoided. The design of slotted waveguides must be carefully simulated before fabrication to ensure the efficacy of the photolithography masks with each ICL growth. Limitations and the behavior of key design parameters are discussed. Single-mode emission was achieved for certain temperature and injected current conditions, validating the operation of an Sb based slotted laser. The slotted ICLs were emitting from a single longitudinal mode at 3.5 μm and 2 mW of power per facet output at 20 °C with threshold currents around 80 mA.

2.7 μm GaSb-based distributed feedback lasers with laterally coupled gratings

We report on a high-performance GaSb-based quantum well laterally coupled distributed feedback laser emitting at wavelength of 2.7 μm. The first-order grating structure of chromium(Cr) is designed to obtain the maximum coupling coefficient, and is defined alongside the ridge waveguide by electron beam lithography. The DFB laser emits an output power of 4.3 mW in a single-mode operation at a heat-sink temperature of 20 °C. Continuous wavelength tuning has been obtained by varying the injection current at a tuning rate of 0.012 nm mA−1. The mixmum side mode suppression ratio is as high as 54.9 dB, which is the highest value ever reported at the wavelength region of 2.7 μm. In addition, the loss margin introduced by Cr gratings is estimated to be 5.02

Oxygen detection based on Faraday modulation spectroscopy and wavelength modulation spectroscopy: A comparison

AbstractAn oxygen sensor system was developed based on Faraday modulation spectroscopy (FAMOS). In the system, a distributed feedback laser near 760.9 nm was used as the light source and a 30‐cm long gas cell was employed for gas absorption. The first harmonic was extracted by a commercial lock in amplifier for the derivation of concentration. Oxygen measurement experiments were conducted the performance of the sensor system was obtained. In addition, oxygen sensor system with wavelength modulation spectroscopy (WMS) scheme was developed with the same light source and gas cell for a direct comparison. Based on Allan deviation analysis, a detection limit of 0.186% for the WMS scheme and a detection limit of 0.108% for the FAMOS scheme were acquired at an averaging time of 1 s. The precisions can be further improved to 0.032% and 0.03% at an averaging time of 15 s, respectively.

Integrated femtosecond pulse generator on thin-film lithium niobate.

Integrated femtosecond pulse and frequency comb sources are critical components for a wide range of applications, including optical atomic clocks1, microwave photonics2, spectroscopy3, optical wave synthesis4, frequency conversion5, communications6, lidar7, optical computing8 and astronomy9. The leading approaches for on-chip pulse generation rely on mode-locking inside microresonators with either third-order nonlinearity10 or with semiconductor gain11,12. These approaches, however, are limited in noise performance, wavelength and repetition ratetunability10,13. Alternatively, subpicosecond pulses can be synthesized without mode-locking, by modulating a continuous-wave single-frequency laser using electro-optic modulators1,14-17. Here we demonstrate a chip-scale femtosecond pulse source implemented on an integrated lithium niobate photonic platform18, using cascaded low-loss electro-optic amplitude and phase modulators and chirped Bragg grating, forming a time-lens system19. The device is driven by a continuous-wave distributed feedback laser chipand controlled by a single continuous-wave microwave source without the need for any stabilization or locking. We measure femtosecond pulse trains (520-femtosecond duration) with a 30-gigahertz repetition rate, flat-top optical spectra with a 10-decibel optical bandwidth of 12.6 nanometres, individual comb-line powers above 0.1 milliwatts, and pulse energies of 0.54 picojoules. Our results represent a tunable, robust and low-cost integrated pulsed light source with continuous-wave-to-pulse conversion efficiencies an order of magnitude higher than those achieved with previous integrated sources. Our pulse generator may find applications in fields such as ultrafast optical measurement19,20 or networks of distributed quantum computers21,22.

Modulation Bandwidth Enhancement and Frequency Chirp Suppression in Two-Section DFB Laser

We demonstrate a two-section distributed feedback (DFB) laser for direct modulation based on the reconstruction equivalent chirp (REC) technology. The two-section DFB laser exhibits a stable single-mode characteristic. Utilizing the photon-photon resonance (PPR) effect and detuned-loading effect, the 3-dB modulation bandwidth of the two-section DFB laser is improved from 8 GHz to 23 GHz. A 25 Gb/s non-return to zero (NRZ) signal is applied to the two-section DFB laser and eye diagrams with large open extent are obtained. In addition, the relative intensity noise is reduced to below −143 dB/Hz. The frequency chirp is also suppressed. The chirp parameter is reduced from 5.67 to 1.37, which is a small value in directly modulated DFB laser. We compared the eye diagrams after transmitting different distances, the results show that the two-section structure reduces the frequency chirp significantly. The modulation of the two-section DFB laser also has good linearity, with a 1-dB compression point of more than 18 dBm.

Microwave signal generation from a parity-time-symmetric optoelectronic oscillator with optical injection locking.

A parity-time (PT) symmetric optoelectronic oscillator (OEO) with optical injection locking is proposed and experimentally demonstrated to generate single-mode microwave signals. A distributed feedback laser is injection locked, which functions as a frequency multiplier for the coarse mode selection of the PT-symmetric OEO. The PT symmetry in the OEO is implemented by using a polarization-dependent Sagnac loop to form two identical loops for coupling. By tuning the two polarization controllers in the Sagnac loop, the gain/loss and coupling coefficient of the two loops can be controlled, and single-mode oscillation in the OEO could be achieved at the broken PT-symmetry condition. Microwave signal generation at the frequency of 6.427GHz is obtained from the proposed OEO. The phase noise is about -105dBc/Hz at an offset frequency of 10kHz.

Frequency Division Multiplexing and Normalized Harmonic Method for WMS Detection System in Multi-gas Detection

A frequency division multiplexing (FDM) WMS system for multi-gas detection is reported in this paper. The distributed feedback lasers with different wavelengths adopt different modulation frequencies to achieve multi-components gas detection by the FDM technology. Combining optical path extension, normalized harmonic detection and wavelength modulation spectroscopy technology, the highly self-made system realized high sensitivity, high precision and short response time. The performance of this system was evaluated through the mixed gas of methane and hydrogen chloride. Experimental results show great linear response between gas concentration and normalized second harmonic (2f/1f) signal, the minimum detection limit (MDL) of the system is calculated to be 30.16 ppb for CH4 and 31.6 ppb for HCl with the integration time of 15 s. The MDL could be further enhanced to 11 ppb for CH4 and 13.1 ppb for HCl with an extended integration time. The maximum relative error is 2.16% and 3.19% for CH4 and HCl respectively.

Experimental demonstration of a photonic convolutional accelerator based on a monolithically integrated multi-wavelength distributed feedback laser.

We propose and experimentally demonstrate a simple and energy-efficient photonic convolutional accelerator based on a monolithically integrated multi-wavelength distributed feedback semiconductor laser using the superimposed sampled Bragg grating structure. The photonic convolutional accelerator operates at 44.48 GOPS for one 2 × 2 kernel with a convolutional window vertical sliding stride of 2 and generates 100 images of real-time recognition. Furthermore, a real-time recognition task on the MNIST database of handwritten digits with a prediction accuracy of 84% is achieved. This work provides a compact and low-cost way to realize photonic convolutional neural networks.

Upraising wavelength exactitude in laser array with spatial hole burning suppression based on the reconstruction-equivalent-chirp technique.

An equivalent corrugation pitch modulated distributed-feedback semiconductor multiwavelength laser array (MLA) with two equivalently assisted phase shifts (EAPSs) based on the reconstruction-equivalent-chirp technique is theoretically studied and experimentally demonstrated. The simulated results show that the longitudinal photon density distribution of the studied MLA is much more uniform than that of the MLA without EAPSs. Accordingly, the longitudinal spatial hole burning of the proposed MLA is therefore suppressed more effectively. The experimental results show that the studied MLA has good single-longitudinal-mode performance. The highest side mode suppression ratio (SMSR) is even up to 52.63dB. Meanwhile, the tunable wavelength range of the investigated MLA is 25.94nm under the thermal tuning scheme from 15.12°C to 46.93°C. All channels are within a wavelength deviation of ±0.001n m. The SMSRs are all above 38dB.

All-optical microwave oscillator based on a mutual-injection coupling between DFB-LDs.

An all-optical microwave oscillator (AOMO) is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. It contains only a mutual injection loop consisting of two distributed feedback laser diodes (DFB-LDs) and a few passive components. In this AOMO, the microwave seed signal originates from the period-one (P1) oscillation in one of the DFB-LDs. The functions of microwave envelope detection and feedback modulation are implemented by the other DFB-LD. Due to the optical injection locking and the optical-optical modulated effect in DFB-LD, the P1 signal is enhanced, and the stability of the P1 signal can be improved by coupling the P1 signal with a resonant mode of the mutual injection loop. Meanwhile, since the P1 oscillation is sensitive to injected light, the frequency of the P1 signal can be easily adjusted, which makes the AOMO easy to be tuned. In the experiment, a highly stable single-mode microwave signal with a frequency of 16.69 GHz and a single-sideband (SSB) phase noise of -90.7 dBc/Hz@10 kHz is generated. The frequency can be tuned from 14.48 to 21.45 GHz by adjusting the parameters of DFB-LDs and the injection light.

Experimental demonstration of uncompressed 4K video transmission over directly modulated distributed feedback laser‐based terahertz wireless link

AbstractWe demonstrate the transmission of uncompressed 4K videos over the photonics‐based terahertz (THz) wireless link using a directly modulated distributed feedback laser diode (DFB‐LD). For optical heterodyne mixing and data modulation, a DFB‐LD was employed and directly modulated with a 5.94‐Gb/s non‐return‐to‐zero signal, which is related to a 6G‐serial digital interface standard to support ultra‐high‐definition video resolution. We derived the optimal frequency of the THz carrier by varying the wavelength difference between DFB‐LD output and Tunable LD output in the THz signal transmitter to obtain the best transmission performances of the uncompressed 4K video signals. Furthermore, we exploited the negative laser‐to‐filter detuning for the adiabatic chirp management of the DFB‐LD by the intentional discrepancy between the center wavelength of the optical band‐pass filter and the output wavelength of the DFB‐LD. With the help of the abovementioned methods, we successfully transmitted uncompressed 4K video signals over the 2.3‐m wireless transmission distance without black frames induced by time synchronization error.

High-power distributed feedback lasers with high-order surface curved gratings.

A novel, to the best of our knowledge, broad-area distributed feedback laser with high-order surface curved gratings has been fabricated based on standard near ultraviolet lithography. The characteristics of increasing output power and mode selection are achieved simultaneously by using a broad-area ridge as well as an unstable cavity structure composed of curved gratings and a high-reflectivity coated rear facet. Suppression of high-order lateral modes is realized by setting current injection/non-injection regions and asymmetric waveguides. This DFB laser emitting around 1070 nm has achieved a spectral width of 0.138 nm and a maximum output power of 915 mW kink-free optical power. The threshold current and side-mode suppression ratio of the device are 370 mA and 33 dB, respectively. The simple manufacturing process and stable performance give this high-power laser broad application prospects in the fields of light detection and ranging, laser pumps, optical disk access, etc.

50 Gb/s Electro-Absorption Modulator Integrated with a Distributed Feedback Laser for Passive Optical Network Systems

We report an electro-absorption modulator integrated with a distributed feedback Bragg laser fabricated by butt-joint technology. The lasing wavelength of the EML laser was 1311.71 nm, the output power was 10.04 mW when the current of the DFB section was 100 mA, the side-mode suppression ratio was greater than 50 dB, and the small-signal bandwidth was 29.40 GHz when the bias voltage of the modulator was −2 V. A 50 Gb/s data transmission over a single-mode fiber of up to 10 km was realized, which could be used as a light source for 50 G passive optical network systems.

Comprehensive study of spectroscopic and holographic properties of the chlorine-containing photo-thermo-refractive glass doped with neodymium ions

A study of the optical, spectral-luminescent and holographic properties of the chlorine-containing photo-thermo-refractive (PTR) glass doped with neodymium ions was carried out. The chlorine-containing PTR glass has been recently produced by replacing the bromine in the standard PTR glass with chlorine. The glass was doped with different concentrations of neodymium ions. The spectroscopic analysis of neodymium in the glass has been performed using the Judd-Ofelt theory based on experimental absorption and emission measurements. Spectroscopic parameters, such as the Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters, radiative and non-radiative transition probabilities, fluorescence lifetimes, stimulated emission cross-sections, and branching ratios, were obtained and found to be comparable with the parameters of the standard PTR glass doped with neodymium. The mechanism of non-radiative energy transfer was analyzed based on the lifetime kinetics measurements. It was found that cross-relaxation among neodymium ions is the dominant non-radiative energy transfer mechanism.Holographic characteristics of the chlorine-containing PTR glasses doped with neodymium have been also studied. The volume Bragg grating was recorded in the doped and undoped glasses. It was found that the UV exposure and heat treatment do not change the spectroscopic characteristics of neodymium ions in the glasses, while the neodymium ions reduce the sensitivity of the glass. The energy transfer from cerium to neodymium when irradiating using the 325-nm laser makes the hologram recording possible on the samples of low neodymium concentrations only. Studying the spectroscopic and holographic properties of the chlorine-containing PTR glass doped with neodymium ions demonstrates the potential of using such a material in the applications of photonics integration and monolithic optical devices like distributed-feedback lasers.

Fast Wavelength Thermal Tuning of DFB Lasers for Ultra Dense WDM-PONs

Thermal tunability for distributed feedback lasers is generally done at slow tuning speed. We study laser current boosting and implement a pre-equalization stage for short wavelength jump, improving the tuning time to the half. A wider jump is also done under a more practical context.

Semiconductor laser and polarization modulator for W-band signal generation

A photonic microwave harmonic up-conversion is experimentally demonstrated using the local oscillator (LO) to directly modulate the distributed feedback laser and externally modulate the polarization modulator simultaneously. By feeding the initial radio frequency signal generated by the LO into the system, the second and fourth harmonic photonic microwaves are eventually available through the separation of the polarization beam splitter. The steady second and fourth harmonic photonic microwaves have a linewidth of about 100 Hz and a discrepancy of up to 60 dB between the central peak and the noise floor. Undesired harmonics and sidebands in the 30 GHz, 60 GHz, and 80 GHz fourth harmonic photonic microwaves can be suppressed without the use of optical amplifiers, resulting in a clear display of both tones. The single-sideband (SSB) phase noise of this proposed system adds about 6 dB of SSB phase noise in each cumulative harmonic, which is close to the ideal state.