Single-mode Laser Array Research Articles

Improved performance of tunable single-mode laser array based on high-order slotted surface grating.

We present an improved design of a wavelength-tunable single-mode laser array based on a high order surface grating with non-uniformly spaced slots. The laser array consists of 12 slotted single-mode lasers. The fabricated device exhibits a quasi-continuous tuning range of more than 36 nm over the temperature range from 10°C - 45°C covering the full C-band. All lasers in the array have stable single-mode operation with side mode suppression ratio of 50 dB due to the modified slot design. A spectral linewidth of less than 500 kHz was obtained for all channels in the array.

Nine-channel wavelength tunable single mode laser array based on slots

A 9-channel wavelength tunable single-mode laser array based on slots is presented. The fabricated laser array demonstrated a threshold current in a range of 19~21 mA with the SOA unbiased at 20°C under continuous wave condition. Stable single mode performances have been observed with side-mode suppression-ratio (SMSR) > 50 dB. The output power higher than 37 mW was obtained at the SOA injected current of 70 mA for all the 9 channels within the laser array. A wavelength quasi-continuous tuning range of about 27 nm has been achieved for the laser array with the temperature variations from 10°C to 45°C. This array platform is of a single growth and monolithically integrable. It can be easily fabricated by standard photolithography. In addition, it potentially removes the yield problem due to the uncertainty of the facet cleaving.

Spectral beam combining of a single-mode 980-nm laser array for pumping of erbium-doped fiber amplifiers

With a view to improve the power level and brightness of semiconductor pump lasers, we have resorted to a scalable implementation and achieved spectral beam combining through a low-quality-factor external cavity. For that purpose, a high-power single-mode laser array emitting up to 2.1 W at 3.2 A at 980 nm has been realized, which delivers 1.5 W in external cavity. A power of 0.66 W was finally coupled into the single-mode fiber, with a coupling efficiency of 44%. Pumping experiments of an erbium-doped fiber amplifier utilizing this laser have demonstrated efficiency and noise characteristics similar to what is usually obtained with conventional sources, with the noteworthy advantage of a lower gain excursion over the C-band.