We report on the preparation of optical excitability in a distributed feedback semiconductor laser. The device integrates a single-mode laser and a 250 microm long passive section with cleaved facet. The phase of the light fed back from the passive section is tunable by current. The theoretical analysis shows an ultimate hop between external cavity modes within every phase cycle that is associated with a two-mode homoclinic bifurcation close to which the system becomes excitable. This excitability is clearly demonstrated in the experimental response to optical injection comparing well with simulation calculations.
We present a detailed description and a first theoretical study of an improved concept for high-frequency self-pulsations (SPs) in multisection (MS)-DFB lasers with an integrated phase tuning section. The DFB wavelengths of the two DFB sections are spectrally detuned by nearly the stopband width using two gratings with different grating periods. If both DFB sections are operated at lasing conditions and an appropriate phase is chosen, we obtain beating-type SP with a frequency given by the spectral distance of two lasing modes. Good agreement between theory and experiment is obtained with respect to the role of the detuning, the role of the phase section, as well as the synchronization to external injected signals. The modeling shows a strong nonlinear coupling of the two involved modes via the carrier densities. This effect is important for the mutual coherence and for the observed locking of the beating oscillations to external signals. From the results of the calculations, we draw the conclusion that even higher SP frequencies can be obtained based on the new concept
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