Novel self-hybrid mode-locking of semiconductor lasers in an external cavity

Abstract

A new mode-locking method called self-hybrid modelocking is explored. This method uses RF modulation at the subharmonic of pulse repetition frequency so that both active and passive mode-locking mechanisms operate in the same gain region without the necessity of additional integrated absorbers. With the same cavity configuration, self-hybrid mode-locking can generate pulses about 2 shorter than the traditional active mode-locking.