Yukio Katoh

Generation and stabilization of ultrafast optical pulse trains with monolithic mode-locked laser diodes

In this paper, we report on the generation and the stabilization of ultrafast optical pulse trains exceeding 100 GHz from monolithic mode-locked laser diodes (MLLDs) combined with some new techniques such as subharmonic synchronous mode-locking (SSML) and repetition-frequency multiplication (RFM) method. Key subjects to increase the pulse repetition frequencies of the MLLDs such as fast absorption recovery and harmonic mode-locking operation are discussed. 500 GHz optical pulse generation from a short-cavity, graded-index separated confinement heterostructure MLLD and THz-rate pulse generation by harmonic mode-locking are reported. We also demonstrate the stabilization of a 160 GHz MLLD by the SSML with subharmonic-frequency optical pulse injection and reveal that the SSML is very promising as a stabilization technique of the ultrafast MLLD beyond the limitations by the electronic device speed. A method to accurately measure the timing jitter of such ultrafast optical pulse train, all-optical down converting using a nonlinear optical device, is also presented. We also mention another choice for ultrafast optical pulse generation using the MLLD combined with a dispersive medium such as an optical fiber. We demonstrate here the generations of stable 84–256 GHz optical pulse trains by the RFM method of the MLLD stabilized by the SSML.

Four-wavelength DBR laser array with waveguide-couplers fabricated using selective MOVPE growth

We have developed an integrated multiwavelength laser with waveguide couplers using a novel selective metal-organic vapor-phase epitaxy (MOVPE) technique. The lasing wavelength was controlled by modulating the effective refractive index of distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) waveguides. Array lasing wavelengths were distributed from 1548.0 to 1553.5 nm with an average spacing of 1.8 nm. The propagation loss of the waveguide coupler was about 16 dB for inner ports and 20 dB for outer ports with a 6 dB splitting loss. Four-wavelength laser outputs were coupled into a single-mode fibre.

40 GHz actively mode-locked DBR laser diodes with a wide (800 MHz) locking range

40-GHz active mode-locking of a monolithic DBR laser diode integrated with an electroabsorption modulator has been reported. Nearly transform-limited pulses of < 6 ps are generated over a frequency range of 37.7-38.5 GHz.