Low-cost edge-emitting DFB laser arrays for DWDM communication systems implemented by bent and tilted waveguides

• Published in: IEEE journal of quantum electronics Vol. 40; no. 10; pp. 1377 - 1383
• Main Authors: Hillmer, H., Klepser, B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY IEEE 01.10.2004; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Arrayed waveguide gratings; Arrays; Channels; Circuit properties; Communication systems; Devices; Distributed feedback devices; Electric, optical and optoelectronic circuits; Electronics; Exact sciences and technology; Fiber lasers; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Heaters; Integrated optics. Optical fibers and wave guides; Isolation technology; Laser feedback; Laser optical systems: design and operation; Lasers; Optical and optoelectronic circuits; Optical arrays; Optics; Physics; Resonators, cavities, amplifiers, arrays, and rings; Semiconductor laser arrays; Semiconductor lasers; laser diodes; Semiconductor waveguides; Systems, networks and services of telecommunications; Telecommunications; Telecommunications and information theory; Transmission and modulation (techniques and equipments); Waveguide lasers; Waveguides; Wavelength division multiplexing; Wavelengths; Optical telecommunication; Distributed feedback laser; Wavelength division multiplexing; Optical fiber communication; Optical waveguide; Experimental study; Bent waveguide; Thin film; Semiconductor laser; Laser array
• ISSN: 0018-9197; 1558-1713
• DOI: 10.1109/JQE.2004.834786

This paper emphasizes methodology concerning variations of the emission wavelengths of edge-emitting semiconductor lasers. We present a method based on tilted distributed feedback (DFB) gratings to be used in combination with specially bent or tilted straight waveguides for the low-cost and ultraprecise definition of different wavelength channels in lasers for Dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) fiberoptic communication systems. The homogeneous DFB grating field is defined using low-cost processes and is tilted with respect to a preferential direction defined by the device borders or the crystal geometry. Our method allows ultraprecise definitions of the DWDM wavelengths and is applicable index- and complex-coupled DFB gratings in both isolated lasers and arrays. Design, technological implementation, and experimental characterization of the devices is presented in this paper. Thin-film heaters are used for correcting small wavelength deviations occurring due to technologically induced tolerances.