US 5,708,671 A · Tunable gigihertz all-optical clock generator and method using same

Abstract

A fully integrated photonic IC for optical clock generation using no electronic current modulation. A first and second laser stripes are joined by a Kerr effect non-linear directional coupler, NLDC. The first stripe is pumped with a DC current for laser generation, and the second stripe has a reflector at an end facet for generation of mode selective optical feedback. The DC current generates relaxation oscillation in both stripes and the Kerr effect of the NLDC causes the electric fields in both stripe to interact constructively so as to shift the relaxation oscillation to undamped oscillation. The optical clock generator is tuned by varying the applied DC current.

Claims29

Dependent claims

A self pulsating optical semiconductor apparatus comprising:

a plurality of semiconductor layers disposed over a substrate, one of said semiconductor layers forming an active region for lightwave generation and propagation under lasing conditions;
first and second waveguides fabricated in said semiconductor layers and being optically coupled to each other by a nonlinear coupling layer, said first waveguide being in direct optical communication with said active region and said second waveguide having reflector means for establishing optical feedback;
and
means for applying an electrical forward bias to said layers for generating lightwaves in said active region.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Tunable gigihertz all-optical clock generator and method using same

Life of this patent

Tunable gigihertz all-optical clock generator and method using same

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims29