Semiconductor optical amplifier, semiconductor optical amplification device, optical output device, and distance measuring device

A semiconductor optical amplification device comprising:

• a substrate;
• a light source unit that is formed on the substrate;
• an optical amplification unit that includes a conductive region extending, from the light source unit, in a predetermined direction along a surface of the substrate, and a nonconductive region around the conductive region, the optical amplification unit amplifying propagation light that propagates, from the light source unit, in the predetermined direction as slow light, the optical amplification unit emitting the propagation light that is amplified in an emission direction that intersects with the surface;
• and
• a drive unit that drives the optical amplification unit with driving current such that optical power in a slow light mode becomes larger than optical power in a vertical oscillation mode.

A semiconductor optical amplification device comprising:

• a light source unit that is formed on a substrate;
• an optical amplification unit that includes a conductive region extending, from the light source unit, in a predetermined direction along a surface of the substrate, and a nonconductive region around the conductive region, the optical amplification unit amplifying propagation light that propagates, from the light source unit, in the predetermined direction as slow light, and emitting the propagation light that is amplified in an emission direction that intersects with the surface;
• and
• a temperature control unit that controls temperature of the optical amplification unit such that optical power in a slow light mode becomes larger than optical power in a vertical oscillation mode while the optical amplification unit being driven.