Work

Carrier dynamics engineering with a saturable absorber in quantum-well semiconductor lasers for frequency comb generation

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Optical frequency combs (OFCs) with uniformly equidistant line spacing are highly promising light sources for applications in optical communications and precision metrology. We report a C-band dual-section dumbbell-shaped taper (DST) semiconductor laser based on quantum-well (QW) epitaxy for optical frequency comb generation. The device delivers an RF beatnote signal at 21 GHz, and by incorporating a saturable absorber (SA) section together with a DST waveguide, it introduces diverse carrier dynamics that enable regime transitions among FM mode-locking, AM mode-locking, and Q-switching under different current conditions. We also analyze the differences in the optical and RF spectral profiles across different operation regimes, as well as the influence of structural configurations on the frequency comb performance. By employing a quantum-well epitaxy, the design eliminates the need for complicated epitaxial processes and provides a low-cost, compatible with standard fabrication optical frequency comb source.

Source: Optics Express

DOI: 10.1364/oe.581063

Authors: Zeyu Wang, Jiaqi Wei, Guangliang Sun, Ningning Chen, Hailing Wang, Wanhua Zheng

Language: English

Topic: Semiconductor Lasers and Optical Devices

Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,270

Funder: National Key Research and Development Program of China

Award: G5142330682