Two-section semiconductor optical amplifier
AssigneeLucent Technologies Inc.
InventorsRobert E. Behringer, Kevin F. Dreyer, Chih-Hsiao Chen, Mingdeh Chien, Uziel Koren, Barry I. Miller
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Abstract
A unitary two-section semiconductor optical amplifier including a first active region, a second active region, and a passive region integrally connected between the first and second active regions to minimize optical loss therebetween. The arrangement of the two-section semiconductor optical amplifier is advantageous in that the gain in the first active region may be increased in order to maintain a substantially constant input power level to the second active region over a relatively wide dynamic range of input power levels to the first active region.
Claims23
A unitary two-section semiconductor optical amplifier comprising:
- a first active region;
- a second active region;
- and
- a passive region integrally connected between said first and second active regions so as to minimize optical loss therebetween.
A unitary two-section semiconductor optical amplifier comprising:
- a first active region having a predetermined range of first input power levels and a gain;
- a second active region having a second input power level, said gain in said first active region being increased so that said second input power level remains substantially constant for said predetermined range of first input power levels;
- and
- a passive region integrally connected between said first and second active regions so as to minimize optical loss therebetween.
A unitary two-section semiconductor optical amplifier comprising:
- a first active region having a first current injected at a first current level;
- a second active region having a second current injected at a second current level different from said first current level, said first and second current levels being driven independently of one another;
- and
- a passive region integrally connected between said first and second active regions so as to minimize optical loss therebetween.
A method for fabricating a unitary two-section semiconductor optical amplifier including a first active region, a second active region, and a passive region integrally connected between said first and second active regions so as to minimize optical loss therebetween, comprising the steps of:
- (a) growing at least one passive waveguide layer;
- (b) growing an etch stop layer on top of said at least one passive waveguide layer;
- (c) growing at least one quantum well layer on top of said etch stop layer;
- (d) growing a cladding layer on top of said at least one quantum well layer;
- (e) applying a photoresist waveguide mask to define said active regions separate from one another;
- and
- (f) etching away a portion of said cladding and at least one quantum well layer to define said passive region interposed between said first and second active regions.
A method for fabricating a unitary two-section semiconductor optical amplifier including a first active region, a second active region, and a passive region integrally connected between said first and second active regions so as to minimize optical loss therebetween, comprising the steps of:
- (a) growing at least one passive waveguide layer;
- (b) growing at least one quantum well layer on top of said at least one passive waveguide layer to define said first active region;
- (c) growing at least one quantum well layer on top of said at least one passive waveguide layer to define said second active region separate from said first active region;
- and
- (d) growing a cladding layer on top of said at least one quantum well layers defining said first and second active regions.
A method of using a unitary two-section semiconductor optical amplifier including a first active region having a predetermined range of first input power levels and a gain, a second active region having a second input power level, and a passive region integrally connected between said first and second active regions so as to minimize optical loss therebetween, comprising the step of:
- increasing said gain in said first active region so that said second input power level remains substantially constant for said predetermined range of first input power levels.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.