Monolithic Tunable Semiconductor Lasers Using Photon Recycling

• Main Authors: Tsai, Yu Hsiung, 蔡裕雄
• Other Authors: Chu, Ann Kuo
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/08505173485605069347

碩士 === 國立中山大學 === 光電(科學)研究所 === 83 === A novel tunable semiconductor laser with very simple device structure and fabrication technology is demonstrated. It consists of a laser diode monolithically integrated on top of a photodiode, with optical coupling between the two devices. The operation principle of this device is unique, since it relies on photon recycling to reduce (or increase) the power dissipation and internal temperature of the laser diode, and thereby induces a shift to the emitting wavelength. Based on a set of rate equations, a theoretical model for the device was developed. Temperature effects on device performance were also included in this model with the assumption that the laser diode and the photodiode were at the same equilibrium temperature. The optical coupling between the laser diode and the photodiode was discussed to investigate the tuning ability of the device. A thermal model was also included to discuss the thermal coupling between the laser diode and the heat sink. The tunable range depends on the optical coupling between the laser diode and the photodiode. Through photon recycling, the threshold pump power and the threshold current of the device can be reduced by 21.1% and 5.1%, respectively. Based on the theoretical model calculation, a wavelength shift of 10 nm can be achieved.