Nonradiative Recombination in Multiple Layer In(Ga)As Quantum-Dot Lasers

The segmented contact technique has been used to study the effects on nonradiative recombination of stacking multiple quantum-dot layers. As the number of stacked layers is increased a shift in the balance of dots in the bimodal dot distribution is observed due to a reduction in the number in the smaller dot size subset. This is attributed to an increase in the density of defect islands, as the number of layers is increased, that preferentially take material from the smaller dots, and lead to an increased level of nonradiative recombination per layer at low injection level. A second nonradiative process is apparent at higher injection level, which is related to the population of the small dot size subset. Spontaneous radiative efficiency was improved in a five-layer sample where the large to small dot size energy separation and relative density of the large dot size subset were increased.     

单片集成锁模量子点激光器

首先简要回顾了超短脉冲激光器(LD)的发展史,以及以半导体量子点为有源区的锁模量子点LD的提出及其潜在的、重要应用前景。随后介绍了锁模量子点LD的工作原理、各种锁模方式及其器件结构,进而讨论了量子点作为锁模LD有源区材料所具有的独特优势。最后在介绍锁模量子点激光器已取得的主要研究成果和发展趋势的同时,指出要获得高重复频率、高功率的锁模量子点激光飞秒脉冲,还须进一步对量子点有源区、器件结构和锁模偏置条件等要素进行优化。     

High-Speed Quantum-Dot Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers

We report on recent progress in high-speed quantum-dot (QD) vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs). Advanced types of QD media allow an ultrahigh modal gain, avoid temperature depletion, and gain saturation effects. Temperature robustness up to 100degC for 0.96-1.25 mum range devices is realized in the continuous wave (cw) regime. An open eye 20 Gb/s operation with bit error rates better than 10^-12 has been achieved in a temperature range 25degC - 85degC without current adjustment. A different approach for ultrahigh-speed operation is based on a combination of the VCSEL section, operating in the CW mode with an additional section of the device, which is electrooptically modulated under a reverse bias. The tuning of a resonance wavelength of the second section, caused by the electrooptic effect, affects the transmission of the system. The approach enables ultrahigh-speed signal modulation. 60 GHz electrical and ~35 GHz optical (limited by the photodetector response) bandwidths are realized.     

Polarization Switching in Quantum-Dot Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers

We demonstrate experimental evidence of polarization switching accompanied by polarization-mode hopping in quantum-dot vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers. In our case, the polarization switching is associated with a change of linearly polarized light to elliptically polarized one, hence switching takes place between elliptically polarized states. Current-modulation measurements show that the polarization switching is of thermal origin.      

Characteristics of InGaAs Submonolayer Quantum-Dot and InAs Quantum-Dot Photonic-Crystal Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers

We have made InGaAs submonolayer (SML) quantum-dot (QD) and InAs QD photonic-crystal vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (PhC-VCSELs) for fiber-optic communications in the 990 and 1300 nm ranges, respectively. The active region of the InGaAs SML QD PhC-VCSEL contains three InGaAs SML QD layers, with each of the SML QD layer formed by alternating depositions of InAs and GaAs. The active region of the InAs QD PhC-VCSEL contains 17 undoped InAs-InGaAs QD layers. Both types of QD PhC-VCSELs exhibit single-mode characteristics throughout the current range, with side-mode suppression ratio (SMSR) larger than 35 dB. A maximum output power of 5.7 mW has been achieved for the InGaAs SML QD PhC-VCSEL. The near-field image study of the QD PhC-VCSELs indicates that the laser beam is well confined by the photonic-crystal structure of the device.     

Differential Gain and Gain Compression in Quantum-Dot Lasers

The dynamics of optical gain in semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) is investigated. Simple analytical expressions are derived, which directly connect the laser dynamical response to capture and intradot relaxation rates. The effect of hole spreading in the valence band and spectral hole burning in the QD ensemble is also quantitatively assessed. The analysis shows that intradot relaxation constitutes the main limitation in the dynamics and points to possible routes towards the improvement of QD lasers     

Wavelength Bistability in Two-Section Mode-Locked Quantum-Dot Diode Lasers

We report a two-section mode-locked quantum-dot laser with an emission wavelength that is bistable with respect to applied bias on the saturable absorber region. The two stable lasing wavelengths for this device are about 1173 and 1166 nm with a power contrast ratio of over 30 dB. The largest switchable wavelength range is 7.7 nm. The optical power and pulsewidth (6.5ps) are almost identical in the two lasing modes under optimized conditions. The operation of this laser can be explained by the interplay of the spectral-hole burning and the quantum-confined Stark effect     

High-Speed Mode-Locked Quantum-Dot Lasers and Optical Amplifiers

Recent results on GaAs-based high-speed mode-locked quantum-dot (QD) lasers and optical amplifiers with an operation wavelength centered at 1290 nm are reviewed and their complex dependence on device and operating parameters is discussed on the basis of experimental data obtained with integrated fiber-based QD device modules. Hybrid and passive mode locking of QD lasers with repetition frequencies between 5 and 80 GHz, sub-ps pulse widths, ultralow timing jitter down to 190 fs, high output peak power beyond 1 W, and suppression of Q-switching are reported, showing the large potential of this class of devices for O-band optical fiber applications. Results on cw and dynamical characterization of QD semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) are presented. QD amplifiers exhibit a close-to-ideal noise figure of 4 dB and demonstrate multiwavelength amplification of three coarse wavelength division multiplexing (CWDM) wavelengths simultaneously. Modelling of QD polarization dependence shows that it should be possible to achieve polarization insensitive SOAs using vertically coupled QD stacks. Amplification of ultrafast 80 GHz optical combs and bit-error-free data signal amplification at 40 Gb/s with QD SOAs show the potential for their application in future 100 Gb Ethernet networks.     

GSMBE生长的非均匀多纵模量子点激光器

报道了InAs/GaAs量子点激光器GSMBE生长,激光器器件有源区包含了层叠的5层InAs量子点微结构.AFM显微图像显示相同生长条件下的未覆盖表层量子点样品呈现出不均匀的多模尺寸分布.制作了脊条宽为6 μm,腔长为1.5 min的未镀膜激光器器件,器件室温连续工作的最大输出功率达到51.1 mW (单面),最高工作温度70℃.激光光谱包含一系列非均匀的多纵模簇,且随着电流的增加,纵模簇个数也增加.经分析认为,光谱的这一不同于常规半导体激光器的性质是由量子点的非均匀性以及量子点之间互不关联性导致的,是多个互相无关联的不同特性激光的集体行为.     

Numerical Analysis of the Frequency Chirp in Quantum-Dot Semiconductor Lasers

We present a numerical model for the analysis of the chirp dynamics of quantum-dot (QD) semiconductor laser under large signal current modulation. The model is based on the multipopulation rate equation formalism, and it includes all the peculiar characteristics of the active QD material such as the inhomogeneous broadening of the gain spectrum, the presence of an excited state confined in the QDs and the presence of nonconfined states due to the wetting layer and the barrier. In this paper the model is applied to the analysis of the chirp of two QD single-mode lasers emitting from the ground state and from the excited state, respectively. In order to make comparisons of the chirp in various operating conditions, we define some equivalent parameters for quantifying the adiabatic and transient contributions to the chirp. These parameters are then used to analyze the chirp as function of the bias current, of the modulation depth and of the modulation frequency. All the various simulation results show that the carrier accumulation in the QD states, poorly involved in the stimulated emission process and the carrier dynamics in these states, can cause a nonzero chirp under current modulation even for the ideal condition of zero linewidth enhancement factor (or -parameter) at the laser threshold.     

Quantum-Dot Semiconductor Mode-Locked Lasers and Amplifiers at 40 GHz

Mode-locked lasers (MLLs) and semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) based on quantum-dot (QD) gain material will impact the development of next-generation networks, such as the 100 Gb/s Ethernet. MLLs presently consisting of a monolithic two-section device already generate picosecond pulse trains at 40 GHz. Temperature dependence of pulsewidth for p-doped devices, a detailed chirp analysis that is a prerequisite for optical time-division multiplexing applications, and data transmission experiments are presented in this paper. QD SOAs show superior performance for linear amplification as well as nonlinear signal processing. Using cross-gain modulation for wavelength conversion, QD SOAs are shown to have a small signal bandwidth beyond 40 GHz under high-bias current injection. This makes QD SOAs much superior to conventional SOAs.      

Analysis of the Linewidth-Enhancement Factor of Long-Wavelength Tunnel-Injection Quantum-Dot Lasers

We have studied the linewidth-enhancement factor of 1.3-mum tunnel-injection quantum-dot (QD) lasers utilizing a rate-equation model that takes into account the injection of electrons directly into the QDs from a coupled quantum well, the presence of wetting layer states, and nonequilibrium carrier relaxation in the QDs. In a conventional separate confinement heterostructure QD laser, plasma effects, which result from a large portion of the injected carriers preferably occupying the barrier and wetting layer states, largely determine the values of the linewidth-enhancement factor and lead to a strong dependence of the linewidth-enhancement factor on injection current. In a tunnel-injection QD laser, however, due to the injection of "cold" electrons directly into the lasing states of the QDs, both the values of linewidth-enhancement factor and the dependence on injection current are substantially reduced. The calculated linewidth-enhancement factors of conventional separate confinement heterostructure and tunnel-injection QD lasers are in excellent agreement with reported experimental values. Our analysis elucidates the role of tunnel injection in achieving near-zero alpha-parameter, which would be important in the design of chirp-free high-speed QD lasers     

InAs/GaAs多层堆垛量子点激光器的激射特性

利用固态源分子束外延技术，按S-K模式生长出五层堆垛InAs/GaAs量子点（QD）微结构材料. 用这种QD材料制成的激光器，内光学损耗为2.1cm-1，透明电流密度为15±10 A/cm2. 对于条宽100μm，腔长2.4mm的激光器（腔面未经镀膜处理），室温下基态激射的波长为108μm，阈值电流密度为144A/cm2，连续波光功率输出达2.67W（双面），外量子效率为63%，特征温度为320K. 研究了QD激光器翟激射特性，并对结果作了讨论.     

InAs/GaAs多层堆垛量子点激光器的激射特性

利用固态源分子束外延技术,按S-K模式生长出五层堆垛InAs/GaAs量子点(QD)微结构材料.用这种QD材料制成的激光器,内光学损耗为2.1cm-1,透明电流密度为15士10 A/cm2.对于条宽100μm,腔长2.4mm的激光器(腔面未经镀膜处理),室温下基态激射的波长为1.08μm,阈值电流密度为144A/cm2,连续波光功率输出达2.67W(双面),外量子效率为63%,特征温度为320K.研究了QD激光器翟激射特性,并对结果作了讨论.     

InAs/GaAs多层堆垛量子点激光器的激射特性

利用固态源分子束外延技术,按S-K模式生长出五层堆垛InAs/GaAs量子点(QD)微结构材料.用这种QD材料制成的激光器,内光学损耗为2.1cm-1,透明电流密度为15士10 A/cm2.对于条宽100μm,腔长2.4mm的激光器(腔面未经镀膜处理),室温下基态激射的波长为1.08μm,阈值电流密度为144A/cm2,连续波光功率输出达2.67W(双面),外量子效率为63%,特征温度为320K.研究了QD激光器翟激射特性,并对结果作了讨论.     

A Temporal Coherence Study of Quantum-Dot/Dash Broadband Lasers and Superluminescent Diodes

The temporal coherence functions of InGaAs–GaAs quantum-dot (QD) and InAs–InGaAlAs quantum-dash (Qdash) superluminescent diodes (SLDs) and broadband laser diodes (BLDs) are reported. Using an optical fiber-based spectral interferometer, the fabricated devices were shown to yield low coherence lengths of 4.00–12.29 $mu$ m and 33.48–74.56 $mu$ m for SLD and BLD devices, respectively. In addition, there were negligible secondary coherencies indicating that these devices have the potential for use in low coherent interferometric systems.      

Modal Analysis of Large Spot Size, Low Output Beam Divergence Quantum-Dot Lasers

Large spot size ridge waveguide lasers utilizing a low modal gain single quantum dot layer emitting at 925 nm were designed and fabricated. Ridge waveguides with width <3 mum emit in a single transverse mode with a low transverse full-width at half-maximum divergence of 20deg. Wider ridges initially lase in the first-order transverse mode before collapsing to the fundamental mode. This characteristic is explained by a thermally induced increase in the refractive index of the waveguide core. All lasers operate in a single lateral mode     

High-Power Tunnel-Injection 1060-nm InGaAs–(Al)GaAs Quantum-Dot Lasers

High-power 1060-nm InGaAs–(Al)GaAs quantum- dot (QD) laser material was developed with an integrated InGaAs quantum film acting as a tunnel injector for electrons. In comparison to a QD laser without tunnel-injection design, the new type of lasers exhibit a strongly improved temperature stability of the threshold current and internal quantum efficiency.      

High-Performance In0.5Ga0.5 As/GaAs Quantum-Dot Lasers on Silicon With Multiple-Layer Quantum-Dot Dislocation Filters

Compound-semiconductor-based lasers grown directly on silicon substrates would constitute an important technology for the realization of on-chip optical interconnects. The characteristics of GaAs-or InP-based devices on silicon can be degraded by the large density of propagating dislocations resulting from the large lattice mismatch (> 4%). The use of multiple layers of self-organized In(Ga, Al)As/GaAs quantum dots (QDs) as a 3D dislocation filter to impede the propagation of dislocations and to reduce dislocation density in GaAs/Si lattice-mismatched heterostructures has been investigated. The effectiveness of this technique, depending on QD composition, size, areal density, and number of dot layers, is analyzed by a quasi-3D model of strain-dislocation interaction. It is found that ten layers of InAs QDs of size ~20-30 nm constitute the most effective dislocation filter. This is experimentally verified by cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy, photoluminescence, and performance characteristics of In_0.5Ga_0.5As/GaAs QD separate confinement heterostructure lasers on Si. The lasers exhibit J_th~900 A/cm² at 273 K, the large characteristic temperature (T₀=278 K) is in the temperature range of 5degC-85degC, and the output slope efficiency (~0.4 W/A) is independent of temperature in the range of 5degC-50degC.