Harmonic Passive Mode-Locking of a Single-Frequency Semiconductor Laser Submitted to Nonlinear Optical Feedback

• Published in: IEEE journal of quantum electronics Vol. 42; no. 12; pp. 1185 - 1195
• Main Authors: Guignard, C., Besnard, P., Mihaescu, A., Zheludev, N.I.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY IEEE 01.12.2006; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Concentrates; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Harmonics; Laser excitation; Laser feedback; Laser mode locking; Laser optical systems: design and operation; Laser theory; Lasers; Mirrors; Mode-locking; Modulation, tuning, and mode locking; nonlinear optical feedback; Nonlinear optics; Nonlinearity; Optical feedback; Optical pulse generation; Optics; Performance analysis; Physics; Pump lasers; Pumps; Semiconductor lasers; Semiconductor lasers; laser diodes; Temporal logic; Single frequency laser; Mode-locking; Semiconductor lasers; Laser mode locking; Optical feedback; Self-pulsing; nonlinear optical feedback; Non linear mirror; Nonlinear optics; ps range
• ISSN: 0018-9197; 1558-1713
• DOI: 10.1109/JQE.2006.882878

We report on a theoretical analysis of the dynamical performance of a single-frequency semiconductor laser under the influence of nonlinear optical feedback. It is shown that the modal structure of such a laser is both dependent on the mirror characteristics and on the pump current. The analysis concentrates on the self pulsating regimes that can be observed, and more precisely on the occurrence of harmonic passive mode-locking. Generation of short pulses, characterized by a duration around 10 ps and a repetition rates as high as 20 GHz, have been demonstrated. The characteristics of this mode-locking strongly depend on the nonlinear mirror's temporal response