Optically controllable dual-mode switching in single-mode Fabry-Pérot laser diode subject to one side-mode feedback and external single mode injection

• Published in: Optics communications Vol. 393; pp. 66 - 71
• Main Authors: Wu, Jian-Wei, Won, Yong Hyub
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15.06.2017
• Subjects: Bistability; Injection locking; Optical switching; Semiconductor laser; Two emission modes; Two emission modes; Injection locking; Optical switching; Semiconductor laser; Bistability
• ISSN: 0030-4018; 1873-0310
• DOI: 10.1016/j.optcom.2017.02.004

In this paper, broadly tunable dual-mode lasing system is presented and demonstrated based on single-mode Fabry-Pérot laser diode subject to the feedback of one side mode amplified by an erbium-doped fiber amplifier in the external feedback cavity. The spacing between two resonance modes in output lasing spectrum is broadly tuned by introducing differently amplified side mode into the single-mode laser via the external cavity consisted of amplifier, filter, and polarization controller so that two difference frequencies of 1THz and 0.6THz are given to display the tunable behavior of dual-mode emission in this work. Therefore, under an external injection mode into the laser condition, the power dependent injection locking and optical bistability of generated dual-mode emission are discussed in detail. At different wavelength detunings, the emitted two resonance modes including the dominant and feedback modes are switched to on- or off-state by selecting proper high-low power level of the external injection mode. As a consequence, the maximum value of achieved dual-mode on-off ratio is as high as up to 45dB. •Tunable dual-mode emission is demonstrated.•All-optical dual-mode switching is performed.•More than 45dB on-off ratios for two emission modes are achieved.