High-performance PCW-DFB laser diodes using offset quantum well epitaxial structures.

We demonstrated a high-performance partially corrugated waveguide distributed feedback (PCW-DFB) laser with high output power, low relative intensity noise (RIN) and narrow linewidth. By introducing offset quantum-well structure that provides enough threshold gain difference for single transverse mode operation, the laser can achieve single mode behavior with an 8-µm-wide ridge waveguide. The laser has been designed by the simulation model based on the coupled wave equations, and the fabricated PCW-DFB laser with the cavity length of 1.3 mm exhibited an output power higher than 190 mW. Stable single mode characteristics have been achieved with a side-mode suppression-ratio (SMSR) over 55 dB. The RIN was less than -160.5 dB/Hz at an injection current of 470 mA, and the linewidth reached 45 kHz.

Wide-waveguide high-power low-RIN single-mode distributed feedback laser diodes for optical communication.

We present an 8-µm-wide 800-µm-long high-power, single-mode and low RIN DFB laser using a dual-waveguide structure. The introduced passive lower waveguide has weakenes the lateral optical confinement for the ridge waveguide, and thus reduces losses caused by the p-doped layers and maintains single mode stability of the laser. The fabricated laser exhibited an output power higher than 170 mW and a relative intensity noise (RIN) below -157 dB/Hz along with a side-mode suppression-ratio (SMSR) over 55 dB. The temperature tuning from -10°C to 60°C allows an 8.6 nm wavelength tunability with a variation coefficient of 0.12 nm/K. The relaxation oscillation frequency is around 8 GHz, and the linewidth is about 250 kHz at 100 mW output power for the fabricated laser. The characteristics of the proposed high-power laser, including high slope efficiency, single mode stability and low noise, make it a suitable candidate for optical communication.