Hybrid distributed bragg reflector laser
AssigneeLytel Incorporated
InventorEugene I. Gordon
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A mechanism for achieving single frequency output in a semiconductor laser diode is disclosed. In accordance with the invention, a conventional laser diode having an anti-reflection coating on its output facet is coupled to a single mode fiber output pigtail having an anti-reflection coating on its input facet. The anti-reflection coatings suppress Fabry-Perot type feedback which would normally be effective for a large number of wavelengths. The fiber includes a built-in distributed Bragg reflector grating, which grating is located just beyond the output fiber input facet. The grating supplies feedback that is effective only over a narrow wavelength band approximating the wavelength spacing between the actual longitudinal modes of the structure so that the laser produces only a single frequency output.
Claims14
A combination comprising:
- a semiconductor laser diode including a front emission facet having an anti-reflection coating,
- an optical fiber coupled to said front emission facet of said laser diode to receive radiation emitted therein and to transmit at least a portion of the received radiation away from the laser diode, said transmitted radiation forming the output of said combination, and
- a periodic reflector grating formed adjacent the core of the fiber near the front emission facet of the laser diode to produce a substantially single wavelength output.
A combination capable of achieving single wavelength output from a semiconductor laser diode, said combination comprising:
- a Fabry-Perot type laser having an anti-reflector coated front emission facet,
- a single mode optical fiber coupled to said front emission facet of said laser, said fiber having an anti-reflection coated input facet, and
- a periodic reflection grating formed adjacent the core of said fiber and near the front emission facet of said laser for providing feedback at said wavelength, whereby said laser supports oscillations substantially only at said wavelength.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.