Folded cavity semiconductor optical amplifier (FCSOA)
First Claim
1. A semiconductor optical amplifier comprising:
- a first mirror disposed on a substrate;
an active region consisting of an optical cavity having gain medium, said optical cavity being disposed adjacent said first mirror;
a second mirror disposed on said active region on a surface opposite said first mirror;
input and output portions formed in said mirrors, said input and output portions having formed layers of reduced reflectivity relative to a corresponding first or second mirror; and
a longitudinal waveguide integral to said optical cavity connecting input and output ports, whereby said longitudinal waveguide is configured with a downward step in reflectivity at said input and output ports of the optical amplifier.
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Abstract
A folded cavity semiconductor optical amplifier is provided that includes a first mirror disposed on a substrate of semiconductor material and an active region formed thereon consisting of an optical cavity with a gain medium. The optical cavity being disposed adjacent the first mirror. A second mirror is formed and disposed on the active region on a surface opposite the first mirror. The active region of the amplifier includes input and output portions formed in one or both mirrors. The input and output portions formed from layers of reduced reflectivity relative to the first or second mirror and a longitudinal waveguide integral to the optical cavity connecting the input and output portions to allow for light to be amplified to enter at the input port, travel through the vertical cavity and longitudinal waveguide, and exit as amplified light at the output portion of the waveguide structure.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A semiconductor optical amplifier comprising:
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a first mirror disposed on a substrate; an active region consisting of an optical cavity having gain medium, said optical cavity being disposed adjacent said first mirror; a second mirror disposed on said active region on a surface opposite said first mirror; input and output portions formed in said mirrors, said input and output portions having formed layers of reduced reflectivity relative to a corresponding first or second mirror; and a longitudinal waveguide integral to said optical cavity connecting input and output ports, whereby said longitudinal waveguide is configured with a downward step in reflectivity at said input and output ports of the optical amplifier. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification