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Using an injection-locked VCSEL to produce Fourier-transform-limited optical pulses
Optics Letters
|January 15, 2021
Summary
We demonstrate nanosecond optical pulses from injection-locked vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs). This advancement is crucial for developing large-scale photonic quantum networks.
Area of Science:
- Photonics
- Quantum Technology
- Laser Physics
Background:
- Vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) are essential for optical communication.
- Achieving narrow-linewidth, high-extinction ratio pulses from VCSELs is challenging.
- VCSELs are promising for photonic quantum networks but require improved pulse characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To generate Fourier-transform-limited, nanosecond scale optical pulses from VCSELs.
- To investigate the effectiveness of injection locking for enhancing VCSEL pulse properties.
- To assess the potential of injection-locked VCSELs for quantum network applications.
Main Methods:
- Utilized injection locking with a narrow-band seed laser.
- Examined two distinct injection-locking architectures.
- Measured pulse characteristics including range and extinction ratio.
Main Results:
- Successfully generated nanosecond scale optical pulses.
- Achieved an effective injection-locking range exceeding 8 GHz.
- Obtained an impressive extinction ratio of 20,000:1.
Conclusions:
- Injection-locked VCSELs can produce high-quality optical pulses.
- The demonstrated performance is suitable for demanding applications.
- Injection-locked VCSELs show significant potential for large-scale photonic quantum networks.
