Gain optimizing for stable single mode operation of external cavity laser
AssigneeIntel Corporation
InventorSergei Sochava
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Known laser diode selections are limited to those designed for high power applications (high gain) or those designed for stable single mode operation in an external cavity (low gain). Exponential gain of laser diodes implemented according to embodiments of the present invention is improved (i.e., optimized) to provide both high output power and stability in an external cavity. This is accomplished by controlling the number of quantum wells, light confinement factor, and the transparency current of the laser diode.
Claims23
A method, comprising:
- subtracting a round trip lasing gain of an external cavity diode laser from a round trip spontaneous emission gain at an operating current to obtain a gain dynamic reserve of the external cavity diode laser;
- and
- reducing gain dynamic reserve of the external cavity diode laser to improve stability of the external cavity diode laser.
An external cavity diode laser, comprising:
- a gain dynamic reserve GDR of less than approximately six;
- and
- stable single mode operation.
A method, comprising:
- determining a gain dynamic reserve GDR for an external cavity diode laser using an expression
- GDR
- =
- 2
-
- G
- 0
-
- d
-
-
- ln
-
- [
- I
- 0
- I
- th
- ]
- ;
- and
- forming a gain medium for the external cavity diode laser, the gain medium having a gain dynamic reserve GDR less than approximately six.
A system, comprising:
- a transmitter having an external cavity diode laser, the external cavity diode laser having a gain dynamic reserve of less than approximately six and stable single mode operation;
- and
- a receiver coupled to the transmitter.
A method, comprising:
- determining a first gain dynamic reserve and a first threshold current for an external cavity diode laser, the first gain dynamic reserve and the first threshold current providing a first mode stability and a first output power, respectively;
- and
- forming a number of quantum wells in a gain medium active region in the external cavity diode laser associated with a second gain dynamic reserve and a second threshold current for the external cavity diode laser, the second gain dynamic reserve and the second threshold current providing a second mode stability better than the first mode stability and the second output power lower than the first output power, respectively.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.