Hans-Jürgen Wünsche

Dispersive self-Q-switching in self-pulsating DFB lasers

Self-pulsations reproducibly achieved in newly developed lasers with two distributed feedback sections and with an additional phase tuning section are investigated. The existence of the dispersive self-Q-switching mechanism for generating the high-frequency self-pulsations is verified experimentally for the first time. This effect is clearly distinguished from other possible self-pulsation mechanisms by detecting the single-mode type of the self-pulsation and the operation of one section near the transparency current density using it as a reflector with dispersive feedback. The operating conditions for generating this self-pulsation type are analyzed. It is revealed that the required critical detuning of the Bragg wavelengths of the two DFB sections is achieved by a combination of electronic wavelength tuning and current-induced heating. The previous reproducibility problems of self-pulsations in two-section DFB lasers operated at, in principle, suited current conditions are discussed, and the essential role of an electrical phase-control section for achieving reproducible device properties is pointed out. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that phase tuning can be used for extending the self-pulsation regime and for optimizing the frequency stability of the self-pulsation. Improved performance of the devices applied as optical clocks thus can be expected.

Detuned grating multi-section-RW-DFB-lasers for high speed optical signal processing

InGaAsP multisection-DFB-lasers with detuned gratings have been fabricated. Self-pulsation in the 40GHz range and the locking to data signals is demonstrated. Even higher self pulsation frequencies can be obtained based on the new concept.

Calculation of combined lateral and longitudinal spatial hole burning in lambda /4 shifted DFB lasers

A quasi-3-D semiconductor laser model that takes into account both longitudinal and lateral spatial hole burning is presented and used to perform calculations of the longitudinal side-mode-suppression ratio, the lateral side-mode kink power, and the linewidth of devices with coupling up to kappa L=6. Detailed results on the effects of inhomogeneous injection, wavelength detuning, phase shift position, and optical losses on these quantities are discussed and used to draw conclusions on the regions of stable single-mode operation. >

Theory of selfpulsations in two-section DFB lasers

A dynamic theory of asymmetrically pumped two-section distributed-feedback (DFB) lasers is presented, which gives a first explanation for the nature of the recently observed gigahertz-selfpulsations in terms of the relative shift between the feedback spectra of the two sections.<<ETX>>

High-frequency pulsations in DFB lasers with amplified feedback

We describe the basic ideas behind the concept of distributed feedback (DFB) lasers with short optical feedback for the generation of high-frequency self-pulsations and show the theoretical background describing realized devices. It is predicted by theory that the self-pulsation frequency increases with increasing feedback strength. To provide evidence for this, we propose a novel device design which employs an amplifier section in the integrated feedback cavity of a DFB laser. We present results from numerical simulations and experiments. It has been shown experimentally that a continuous tuning of the self-pulsation frequency from 12 to 45 GHz can be adjusted via the control of the feedback strength. The numerical simulations, which are in good accordance with experimental investigations, give an explanation for a self-stabilizing effect of the self-pulsations due to the additional carrier dynamic in the integrated feedback cavity.

Modeling self-pulsating DFB lasers with an integrated phase tuning section

A theoretical model of a self-pulsating three-section DFB laser with an integrated phase tuning section is established. It is based on traveling wave equations and the standard carrier rate equations. Parameters of an existing device are used for applying the model. Key conditions and characteristics of self-pulsations (SPs) are modeled and compared with experimental results. The important role of phase tuning for turning on the SP is pointed out. The dependence of the SP regime on the detuning between the Bragg wavelengths in the laser and reflector is determined and the essential role of phase-readjustment is identified. Frequency tuning via the laser currents, as well as the pulse shape at various frequencies, is investigated. This allows us to identify the mechanism for frequency tuning. The model turns out to be a good tool to improve our knowledge of the self-pulsation effect and to design optimized devices.

Modeling of mode control and noise in self-pulsating PhaseCOMB lasers

Self-pulsations (SPs) in phase-controlled mode beating lasers (PhaseCOMB) are very attractive for all-optical clock recovery at ultra-high bit rates. In this paper, we apply the comprehensive simulation tool Longitudinal Dynamics in Semiconductor Lasers, developed by us, for studying the SP features of PhaseCOMB lasers, considering the effects of spontaneous emission noise, longitudinal spatial hole burning, and gain dispersion. In particular, the importance of mode control for adjusting the PhaseCOMB operating conditions is pointed out. The simulation results are confirmed by measurements on fabricated devices.

Recombination dynamics in GaN

Abstract We present a theoretical investigation of the carrier recombination in GaN. Analytical expressions of the radiative recombination coefficients of the coupled exciton–free-carrier system are derived by employing the van Roosbroeck–Shockley relation between absorption and spontaneous emission. Screening to the first order for the discrete exciton state is taken into account. Our results demonstrate the importance of exciton effects, which persist up to high temperatures and excitation densities, for the spontaneous emission in GaN. Finally, “best-case” simulations of the particle densities after pulsed excitation as a function of time or depth show the importance of both bulk and interface nonradiative recombination in GaN.

Two-wave competition in ultralong semiconductor optical amplifiers

The copropagation of two waves in an ultralong semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) is considered in theory and experiment. One wave is a modulated signal, whereas the other one is unmodulated (continuous wave). The theory bases on a comprehensive traveling-wave model and predicts an exponential improvement of the signal extinction ratio (ER) of the modulated signal, caused by the presence of the unmodulated signal. Conditions for achieving this two-wave competition (TWC) effect are as follows. The SOA is operated under saturation, both waves are copolarized, they have comparable gain and their spectral correlation is between certain limits. The TWC effect is due to nondegenerate four-wave mixing (FWM) in the saturated part of a long SOA and is expected to have a high-speed potential. In order to check the theoretical predictions, 4-mm-long SOAs are developed and experimentally investigated under the given conditions. The measured ER improves by 1.3 dB for a 5-GHz sinusoidal signal, which compares well with the 2 dB theoretically predicted for this configuration. FWM is identified also experimentally as the basic mechanism. Variation of wavelength detuning, pump current, modulation frequency and ER of the injected signal are used to determine optimum conditions for the given device.

Synchronization properties of two coupled multisection semiconductor lasers emitting chaotic light

We present numerical simulations describing the dynamics of two multisection semiconductor lasers emitting in a chaotic regime coupled in a master-slave configuration. By changing the current of the passive section of the master laser, we observe a change in the maximum correlation between the outputs of the two systems. These devices are promising candidates for on-off phase-shift keying encryption