Characterization and Direct Modulation of a Multi-Section PIC Suited for Short Reach Optical Communication Systems

Abstract

A multi-section active photonic integrated circuit (PIC) is characterized in detail to gauge its suitability as a transmitter for short reach applications. The PIC is 1.5 mm long and consists of two lasers integrated in a master-slave configuration, which enables optical injection locking (OIL) of the slave laser. The beneficial impact of the injection is characterized by static and dynamic measurements. The results show a reduction of the optical linewidth from 8 MHz to 2 MHz, a relative intensity noise (RIN) value as low as −154.3 dB/Hz and a 45% improvement of the slave laser modulation bandwidth from 9.5 GHz to 14 GHz. This frequency response enhancement allows the direct modulation of the slave gain section at a data rate of 10.7 Gb/s and an error-free transmission over 25 km of standard single-mode fiber (SSMF). Transmission performance of the injected case shows a 2 dB improvement in the minimum optical power required to achieve a bit error rate of 3.8×10−3 (hard decision forward error correction limit). These results demonstrate that the multi-section PIC can serve as an attractive cost-efficient transmitter in a wide variety of low-cost short-reach data communication applications.

Photonically integrated gain‐switched lasers for optical frequency comb generation

“…The twosection device is a discrete mode (DM) index patterned laser, 19 while the four-section device consists of two regrowth-free Fabry-Pérot (FP) lasers. 23 First, a comprehensive characterization of the two devices, in a free-running state is presented. We use the term "free running" to indicate that the slave laser is DC-biased with no modulation or injection applied.…”

“…Two different devices are examined: a two‐section and a four‐section PICs. The two‐section device is a discrete mode (DM) index patterned laser, 19 while the four‐section device consists of two regrowth‐free Fabry‐Pérot (FP) lasers 23 . First, a comprehensive characterization of the two devices, in a free‐running state is presented.…”