Thermally wavelength tunable lasers

• US 20030086448A1
• Filed: 11/08/2001
• Published: 05/08/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Deacon, David A.G.
• Granted Patent: US 6,690,694 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 372/20
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 5/02325 Mechanically integrated components on mount members or optical micro-benches
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 5/0234 Up-side down mountings, e.g. Flip-chip, epi-side down mountings or junction down mountings
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 5/0237 by soldering
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 5/0612 controlled by temperature
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 5/101 Curved waveguide H01S5/1243 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 5/1085 Oblique facets
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 5/1206 having a non constant or multiplicity of periods
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 5/141 using a wavelength selective device, e.g. a grating or etalon H01S5/146 takes precedence

Abstract

Embodiments of wavelength tunable lasers are disclosed. The wavelength tunable lasers include thermo-optic organic material that has an index of refraction that can quickly vary in response to changes in temperature. By controlling the temperature in the thermo-optic organic material through the use of heaters or coolers, the wavelength tunable lasers and the integrated optical components can be quickly and selectively tuned over a broad range of wavelengths with high spectral selectivity.

Claims

1. A tunable laser comprising:

a gain means with an active emission layer that generates optical energy, the active emission layer having a first and a second facet;

a first waveguide extending from the first facet, the first waveguide including a first core, the first core having a first end adjacent to the first facet for receiving optical energy, the first core fabricated from inorganic material and the first waveguide fabricated from inorganic and thermo-optical organic material;

a second waveguide extending from the second facet, the second waveguide including a second core, the second core having a first end adjacent to the second facet for receiving optical energy, the second core fabricated from inorganic material and the second waveguide fabricated from inorganic and thermo-optical organic material;

a substrate supporting the first waveguide, the second waveguide, and the gain means;

a first reflector positioned to reflect optical energy propagating along the first waveguide if the optical energy has a wavelength that is one of a plurality of first reflection wavelengths;

a second reflector positioned to reflect optical energy propagating along the second waveguide if the optical energy has a wavelength that is one of plurality of second reflection wavelengths;

thermo-optical organic material positioned to shift the plurality of first and second reflection wavelengths in response to changes of temperature in the thermo-optical organic material; and

means for changing the temperature in the thermo-optical organic material.

2. The tunable laser of claim 1 wherein the first waveguide includes a reflector-free portion interposed between the first end of the first core and the first reflector, the reflector-free portion including a phase control section.

3. The tunable laser of claim 2 further comprising thermo-optical organic material positioned in proximity to the phase control section.

4. The tunable laser of claim 3 wherein the thermo-optical organic material has a coefficient of refractive index variation as a function of temperature, the magnitude of which exceeds 1×

10<sup>−

4</sup>/°

C.

5. The tunable laser of claim 3 wherein the thermo-optical organic material is selected from the group comprising a polymer derived from methacrylate, a polymer derived from siloxane, a polymer derived from carbonate, a polymer derived from styrene, a polymer derived from cyclic olefin, and a polymer derived from norbornene.

6. The tunable laser of claim 1 wherein the means for changing the temperature in the thermo-optical organic material is selected from the group comprising a resistive heater, a thermo electric heater, and a thermoelectric cooler.

7. The tunable laser of claim 3 wherein the means for changing the temperature in the thermo-optical organic material are separate means for changing the temperature in the thermo-optical organic material adjacent to the first reflector, the second reflector, and the phase control section.

8. The tunable laser of claim 1 wherein the first and second core further comprise a taper adjacent to the first end for receiving optical energy.

9. A tunable hybrid laser comprising:

a substrate fabricated of a first material;

a gain means fabricated of a second material and mounted onto the substrate, the gain means including an active emission layer that generates optical energy, the active emission layer having a first and a second facet;

a first waveguide disposed on the substrate and extending from the first facet, the first waveguide including a first core, the first core having a first end adjacent to the first facet for receiving optical energy, the first core fabricated from inorganic material and the first waveguide fabricated from inorganic and thermo-optical organic material;

a first reflector positioned to reflect optical energy propagating along the first waveguide if the optical energy has a wavelength that is one of a plurality of first reflection wavelengths;

a second waveguide disposed on the substrate and extending from the second facet, the second waveguide including a second core, the second core having a first end adjacent to the second facet for receiving optical energy, the second core fabricated from inorganic material and the second waveguide fabricated from inorganic and thermo-optical organic material;

a second reflector positioned to reflect optical energy propagating along the second waveguide if the optical energy has a wavelength that is one of a plurality of second reflection wavelengths;

thermo-optical organic material positioned to shift the plurality of first and second reflection wavelengths in response to changes of temperature in the thermo-optical organic material; and

means for changing the temperature in the thermo-optical organic material.

10. The tunable hybrid laser of claim 9 wherein the first waveguide includes a reflector-free portion interposed between the first end of the first core and the first reflector, the reflector-free portion including a phase control section.

11. The tunable hybrid laser of claim 10 further comprising thermo-optical organic material positioned in proximity to the phase control sections.

12. The tunable hybrid laser of claim 11 wherein the thermo-optical organic material has a coefficient of refractive index variation as a function of temperature, the magnitude of which exceeds 1×

10<sup>−

4</sup>/°

C.

13. The tunable hybrid laser of claim 11 wherein the thermo-optical organic material is selected from the group comprising a polymer derived from methacrylate, a polymer derived from siloxane, a polymer derived from carbonate, a polymer derived from styrene, a polymer derived from cyclic olefin, and a polymer derived from norbornene.

14. The tunable hybrid laser of claim 9 wherein the means for changing the temperature in the thermo-optical organic material is selected from the group comprising a resistive heater, a thermoelectric heater, and a thermoelectric cooler.

15. The tunable hybrid laser of claim 10 wherein the means for changing the temperature in the thermo-optical organic material are separate means for changing the temperature in the thermo-optical organic material adjacent to the first reflector, the second reflector, and the phase control section.

16. The tunable hybrid laser of claim 9 wherein the first material is selected from the group comprising sapphire, gallium arsenide, indium phosphide, silicon, glass, ceramic, and metal.

17. The tunable hybrid laser of claim 9 wherein the second material is selected from the group comprising sapphire, gallium arsenide, and indium phosphide.

18. The tunable laser of claim 9 wherein the first and second core further comprise a taper adjacent to the first end for receiving optical energy.

19. A tunable laser comprising:

a substrate fabricated of a first material;

a gain means fabricated of a second material and mounted onto the substrate, the gain means including an active emission layer that generates optical energy, the active emission layer having a facet;

a waveguide disposed on the substrate and extending from the gain means, the waveguide including a core, the core having an end adjacent to the facet for receiving optical energy, the core fabricated from inorganic material and the waveguide fabricated from inorganic and thermo-optical organic material;

a reflector positioned to reflect optical energy propagating along the waveguide if the optical energy has a wavelength that is one of a plurality of reflection wavelengths;

thermo-optical organic material positioned to shift the plurality of reflection wavelengths in response to changes of temperature in the thermo-optical organic material; and

means for changing the temperature in the thermo-optical organic material.

20. The tunable laser of claim 19 wherein the waveguide includes a reflector-free portion interposed between the end and the reflector, the reflector-free portion including a phase control section.

21. The tunable laser of claim 20 further comprising thermo-optical organic material positioned in proximity to the phase control section.

22. The tunable laser of claim 21 wherein the thermo-optical organic material has a coefficient of refractive index variation as a function of temperature, the magnitude of which exceeds 1×

10<sup>−

4</sup>/°

C.

23. The tunable laser of claim 21 wherein the thermo-optical organic material is selected from the group comprising a polymer derived from methacrylate, a polymer derived from siloxane, a polymer derived from carbonate, a polymer derived from styrene, a polymer derived from cyclic olefin, and a polymer derived from norbornene.

24. The tunable laser of claim 19 wherein the means for changing the temperature in the thermo-optical organic material is selected from the group comprising a resistive heater, a thermoelectric heater, and a thermoelectric cooler.

25. The tunable laser of claim 20 wherein the means for changing the temperature in the thermo-optical organic material are separate means for changing the temperature in the thermo-optical organic material adjacent to the reflector and the phase control section.

26. The tunable laser of claim 19 wherein the first material is selected from the group comprising sapphire, gallium arsenide, indium phosphide, silicon, glass, ceramic, and metal.

27. The tunable laser of claim 19 wherein the second material is selected from the group comprising sapphire, gallium arsenide, and indium phosphide.

28. The tunable laser of claim 19 wherein the core further comprise a taper adjacent to the first end for receiving optical energy.

29. A tunable laser comprising:

a gain means including an active emission layer that generates optical energy, the active emission layer having a facet;

a waveguide extending from the facet, the waveguide including a core, the core having an end adjacent to the facet for receiving optical energy, the core fabricated from inorganic material and the waveguide fabricated from inorganic and thermo-optical organic material;

a substrate supporting the gain means and the waveguide;

a reflector positioned to reflect optical energy propagating along the waveguide if the optical energy has a wavelength that is one of a plurality of reflection wavelengths;

thermo-optical organic material positioned to shift the plurality of reflection wavelengths in response to changes of temperature in the thermo-optical organic material; and

means for changing the temperature in the thermo-optical organic material.

30. The tunable laser of claim 29 wherein the waveguide includes a reflector-free portion interposed between the end and the reflector, the reflector-free portion including a phase control section.

31. The tunable laser of claim 30 further comprising thermo-optical organic material positioned in proximity to the phase control section.

32. The tunable laser of claim 31 wherein the thermo-optical organic material has a coefficient of refractive index variation as a function of temperature, the magnitude of which exceeds 1×

10<sup>−

4</sup>/°

C.

33. The tunable laser of claim 31 wherein the thermo-optical organic material is selected from the group comprising a polymer derived from methacrylate, a polymer derived from a siloxane, a polymer derived from carbonate, a polymer derived from styrene, a polymer derived from cyclic olefin, and a polymer derived from norbornene.

34. The tunable laser of claim 29 wherein the means for changing the temperature in the thermo-optical organic material is selected from the group comprising a resistive heater, a thermoelectric heater, and a thermoelectric cooler.

35. The tunable laser of claim 30 wherein the means for changing the temperature in the thermo-optical organic material are separate means for changing the temperature in the thermo-optical organic material adjacent to the reflector and the phase control section.

36. The tunable laser of claim 29 wherein the core further comprise a taper adjacent to the first end for receiving optical energy.

37. A tunable laser comprising:

a gain means including an active emission layer that generates optical energy, the active emission layer having a facet;

a waveguide extending from the facet, the waveguide including a core, the core having an end adjacent to the facet for receiving optical energy, the core fabricated from an inorganic material and the waveguide fabricated from inorganic and thermo-optical organic material;

a substrate supporting the gain means and the waveguide;

a first reflector positioned to reflect optical energy propagating along the waveguide if the optical energy has a wavelength that is one of a plurality of first reflection wavelengths;

a second reflector positioned to reflect optical energy propagating along the waveguide if the optical energy has a wavelength that is one of plurality of second reflection wavelengths;

thermo-optical organic material positioned to shift the plurality of first and second reflection wavelengths in response to changes of temperature in the thermo-optical organic material; and

means for changing the temperature in the thermo-optical organic material.

38. The tunable laser of claim 37 wherein the waveguide includes a reflector-free portion interposed between the end and the first reflector and between the first reflector and the second reflector, the reflector-free portions including a phase control section.

39. The tunable laser of claim 38 further comprising thermo-optical organic material positioned in proximity to the phase control sections.

40. The tunable laser of claim 39 wherein the thermo-optical organic material has a coefficient of refractive index variation as a function of temperature, the magnitude of which exceeds 1×

10<sup>−

4</sup>/°

C.

41. The tunable laser of claim 39 wherein the thermo-optical organic material is selected from the group comprising a polymer derived from methacrylate, a polymer derived from siloxane, a polymer derived from carbonate, a polymer derived from styrene, a polymer derived from cyclic olefin, and a polymer derived from norbornene.

42. The tunable laser of claim 37 wherein the means for changing the temperature in the thermo-optical organic material is selected from the group comprising a resistive heater, a thermoelectric heater, and a thermoelectric cooler.

43. The tunable laser of claim 38 wherein the means for changing the temperature in the thermo-optical organic material are separate means for changing the temperature in the thermo-optical organic material adjacent to the first reflector, the second reflector, and the phase control sections.

44. The tunable laser of claim 37 wherein the core further comprise a taper adjacent to the first end for receiving optical energy.

45. An integrated optical component comprising:

a waveguide disposed on a substrate and including a core having an end for receiving optical energy, the core fabricated from inorganic material and the waveguide fabricated from an inorganic and thermo-optical organic material;

a first reflector positioned to reflect optical energy propagating along the waveguide if the optical energy has a wavelength that is one of a plurality of first reflection wavelengths;

a second reflector positioned to reflect optical energy propagating along the waveguide if the optical energy has a wavelength that is one of plurality of second reflection wavelengths;

thermo-optical organic material positioned to shift the plurality of first and second reflection wavelengths in response to changes of temperature in the thermo-optical organic material; and

means for changing the temperature in the thermo-optical organic material.

46. The integrated optical component of claim 45 wherein the waveguide includes a reflector-free portion interposed between the end and the first reflector and between the first reflector and the second reflector, the reflector-free portions including a phase control section.

47. The integrated optical component of claim 46 further comprising thermo-optical organic material positioned in proximity to the phase control sections.

48. The integrated optical component of claim 47 wherein the thermo-optical organic material has a coefficient of refractive index variation as a function of temperature, the magnitude of which exceeds 1×

10<sup>−

4</sup>/°

C.

49. The integrated optical component of claim 47 wherein the thermo-optical organic material is selected from the group comprising a polymer derived from methacrylate, a polymer derived from siloxane, a polymer derived from carbonate, a polymer derived from styrene, a polymer derived from cyclic olefin, and a polymer derived from norbornene.

50. The integrated optical component of claim 45 wherein the means for changing the temperature in the thermo-optical organic material is selected from the group comprising a resistive heater, a thermoelectric heater, and a thermoelectric cooler.

51. The integrated optical component of claim 46 wherein the means for changing the temperature in the thermo-optical organic material are separate means for changing the temperature in the thermo-optical organic material adjacent to the first reflector, the second reflector, and the phase control section.

52. The integrated optical component of claim 45 wherein the core further comprise a taper adjacent to the first end for receiving optical energy.

53. A tunable hybrid laser comprising:

a substrate fabricated of a first material;

a gain means fabricated of a second material and mounted onto the substrate, the gain means including an active emission layer that generates optical energy, the active emission layer having a facet;

a waveguide disposed on the substrate and extending from the facet, the waveguide including a core, the core having an end adjacent to the facet for receiving optical energy, the core fabricated from inorganic material and the waveguide fabricated from inorganic and thermo-optical organic material;

a first reflector positioned to reflect optical energy propagating along the waveguide if the optical energy has a wavelength that is one of a plurality of first reflection wavelengths;

a second reflector positioned to reflect optical energy propagating along the waveguide if the optical energy has a wavelength that is one of a plurality of second reflection wavelengths;

thermo-optical organic material positioned to shift the plurality of first and second reflection wavelengths in response to changes of temperature in the thermo-optical organic material; and

means for changing the temperature in the thermo-optical organic material.

54. The tunable laser of claim 53 wherein the waveguide includes a reflector-free portion interposed between the end and the first reflector and between the first reflector and the second reflector, the reflector-free portions including a phase control section.

55. The tunable laser of claim 54 further comprising thermo-optical organic material positioned in proximity to the phase control sections.

56. The tunable laser of claim 55 wherein the thermo-optical organic material has a coefficient of refractive index variation as a function of temperature, the magnitude of which exceeds 1×

10<sup>−

4</sup>/°

C.

57. The tunable laser of claim 55 wherein the thermo-optical organic material is selected from the group comprising a polymer derived from methacrylate, a polymer derived from siloxane, a polymer derived from carbonate, a polymer derived from styrene, a polymer derived from cyclic olefin, and a polymer derived from norbornene.

58. The tunable laser of claim 53 wherein the means for changing the temperature in the thermo-optical organic material is selected from the group comprising a resistive heater, a thermoelectric heater, and a thermoelectric cooler.

59. The tunable laser of claim 54 wherein the means for changing the temperature in the thermo-optical organic material are separate means for the changing the temperature in the thermo-optical organic material adjacent to the first reflector, the second reflector, and the phase control section.

60. The tunable laser of claim 53 wherein the core further comprise a taper adjacent to the first end for receiving optical energy.