Compact, efficient ultra-wide tunable laser with reduced thermal crosstalk

Area of Science:

• Photonics and Optical Communications
• Materials Science and Engineering
• Semiconductor Device Physics

Background:

• Future optical communication systems require wider wavelength bands to scale capacity.
• Current tunable lasers operate in limited bands, necessitating multiple designs and complicating system management.
• Wider tuning ranges and simplified calibration are crucial for next-generation optical networks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a novel tunable laser with an extended tuning range and high output power.
• To demonstrate a silicon optical bench platform enabling efficient and low-crosstalk laser tuning.
• To address the need for simplified system deployment and management in optical communication.

Main Methods:

• Development of a novel silicon optical bench platform.
• Integration of thermal membranes for low power consumption and reduced tuning crosstalk.
• Characterization of laser tuning range, output power, and power consumption.

Main Results:

• Achieved an 11THz tuning range with 14mW output power.
• Demonstrated low tuning power consumption and significantly reduced crosstalk.
• Total power consumption of the tunable laser is 700mW.

Conclusions:

• The novel tunable laser design simplifies calibration and control, enhancing performance.
• The silicon optical bench platform with thermal membranes is effective for wide-band tunable lasers.
• This advancement facilitates the deployment and management of future high-capacity optical communication systems.