Laser diode-pumped compact hybrid lithium niobate microring laser

Area of Science:

• Photonics and Laser Technology
• Materials Science
• Integrated Optics

Background:

• Erbium-doped materials are crucial for 1550 nm optical communication.
• Lithium niobate (LiNbO3) offers excellent optical properties for integrated photonic devices.
• Developing compact and efficient laser sources is essential for advancing optical technologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate a compact hybrid laser by integrating an Er3+-doped LiNbO3 microring with a pump laser diode.
• To characterize the lasing performance, including wavelength, mode properties, and threshold power.
• To explore the potential of this hybrid laser for applications in optical communication and metrology.

Main Methods:

• Butt coupling a commercial 980-nm pump laser diode chip with a high-quality Er3+-doped LiNbO3 microring chip.
• Characterizing the emission spectrum and linewidth using optical spectrum analysis.
• Measuring the threshold pumping power and current at atmospheric temperature.

Main Results:

• Achieved single-mode lasing emission at 1531 nm from the Er3+-doped LiNbO3 microring.
• The hybrid laser has a compact chip size of 3 mm × 4 mm × 0.5 mm.
• Observed a low threshold pumping power of 6 mW and a narrow linewidth of 0.05 nm.

Conclusions:

• Successfully demonstrated a robust, compact hybrid lithium niobate microring laser.
• The laser exhibits excellent single-mode operation and a low threshold.
• This hybrid laser source holds significant potential for applications in coherent optical communication and precision metrology.