16×100GHz digitally wavelength switchable V-coupled-cavity laser with 40dB SMSR

Abstract

As an alternative to sophisticated tunable laser that are currently deployed in optical networks, we present a simple and compact digitally wavelength switchable laser based on Vcoupled cavities. Single-electrode-controlled wavelength switching over 16 channels with 100GHz spacing is demonstrated for the first time with side-mode-suppression-ratio (SMSR) as high as 40dB. The fabrication process is similar to that of a Fabry-Perot laser and the device size is only 500μm×300μm.