Widely tunable grating cavity lasers

Abstract

A widely tunable multi-channel grating cavity laser is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The device is implemented in Littman configuration with an echelle grating based on Rowland circle construction and realized by monolithically integrating all elements in an InP substrate. Lasing wavelength is selected by turning on an amplifier and the appropriate channel element in the array, and it is tuned by controlling light deflection electrically. The 6-channel device exhibits a tuning range of about 50 nm with a side mode suppression ratio of more than 30 dB. This is accomplished by adjusting the applied current of the dispersive element and phase control section.