Ultra-low noise, highly stable single-mode operation, high power, Bragg grating based semiconductor laser
AssigneeColdQuanta, Inc.
InventorPaul A Morton
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Waveguide Bragg gratings, optical reflectors and lasers including optical reflectors are disclosed. The optical reflectors include a waveguide, perturbations proximate to the waveguide to create a Bragg grating in the waveguide, and a DC index control structure positioned to vary the DC index along at least a portion of the Bragg grating. In laser embodiments, the waveguide may be coupled to the second end of a semiconductor gain element to form an external cavity having an optical length and a cavity phase. The gain element and optical reflector may be monolithically integrated on a substrate or separate structures.
Claims20
A laser comprising:
- a semiconductor gain element to generate light in response to a bias current and having
- a first end with a high reflectivity forming a first end of a laser cavity and
- a second end with a lower reflectivity to allow at least a portion of light to pass through the second end;
- and
- a waveguide coupled to the second end of the semiconductor gain element to form an external cavity having an optical length and a cavity phase,
- the waveguide including:
- a Bragg grating forming a second end of the laser cavity having an optical length, and
- a DC index control structure positioned to vary the DC index along at least a portion of the Bragg grating, wherein a distance between the DC index control structure and the waveguide varies over a length of the Bragg grating.
A waveguide Bragg grating comprising:
- a planar substrate including a waveguide, the substrate including perturbations creating a Bragg grating in the waveguide, and
- a DC index control structure positioned to vary the DC index along at least a portion of the Bragg grating, wherein a distance between the DC index control structure and the waveguide varies over a length of the Bragg grating.
A laser comprising:
- a semiconductor gain element to generate light in response to a bias current and having
- a first end with a high reflectivity forming a first end of a laser cavity and
- a second end with a lower reflectivity to allow at least a portion of light to pass through the second end;
- and
- an optical reflector including a waveguide in a planar substrate, the substrate including perturbations creating a Bragg grating in the waveguide, and
- a DC index control structure positioned to vary the DC index along at least a portion of the Bragg grating, wherein a distance between the DC index control structure and the waveguide varies over a length of the Bragg grating, and
- the waveguide coupled to the second end of the semiconductor gain element to form an external cavity having an optical length and a cavity phase.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.