Multi-wavelength gain-coupled distributed feedback laser array with fine tunability
First Claim
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1. A multi-wavelength semiconductor laser array comprising:
- a plurality of distributed feedback, gain coupled, ridge waveguide semiconductor laser diodeslongitudinally spaced on a common substrate, each of said laser diodes having active region capable of generating light and gain for lasing action in response to an injection current, a gain coupling grating in the active region, a buffer layer on said grating, a current confining ridge waveguide in said buffer layer, contacts on each ridge waveguide and substrate and resistive heater means associated with each laser, whereby the operational wavelength of the light generated by lasing action in each laser is a function of the width of each ridge waveguide, said operational wavelength being dynamically tunable by said resistive heater means associated with each laser.
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Abstract
A multi-wavelength laser array having a plurality of gain-coupled distributed feedback ridge waveguide lasers. The operational wavelength of each laser is established by selecting a width of the ridge waveguide in the range 1.6 μm to 5.2 μm. Fine tuning of each central wavelength is achieved by thermal power to selected waveguides via Titanium thin film resistors integrated into the laser array. A wavelength range of 9 nm is demonstrated utilizing a sixteen element array.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A multi-wavelength semiconductor laser array comprising:
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a plurality of distributed feedback, gain coupled, ridge waveguide semiconductor laser diodes longitudinally spaced on a common substrate, each of said laser diodes having active region capable of generating light and gain for lasing action in response to an injection current, a gain coupling grating in the active region, a buffer layer on said grating, a current confining ridge waveguide in said buffer layer, contacts on each ridge waveguide and substrate and resistive heater means associated with each laser, whereby the operational wavelength of the light generated by lasing action in each laser is a function of the width of each ridge waveguide, said operational wavelength being dynamically tunable by said resistive heater means associated with each laser. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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