Comparison of symmetric and asymmetric double quantum well extended-cavity diode lasers for broadband passive mode-locking at 780 nm
H. Christopher1,2, E.V. Kovalchuk1,2, H. Wenzel1, F. Bugge1, M. Weyers1, A. Wicht1,2, A. Peters1,2, and G. Tränkle1
Published in:
Appl. Opt., vol. 56, no. 19, pp. 5566-5572 (2017).
Abstract:
We present a compact, mode-locked diode laser system designed to emit a frequency comb in the wavelength range around 780 nm. We compare the mode-locking performance of symmetric and asymmetric double quantum well ridge-waveguide diode laser chips in an extended-cavity diode laser configuration. By reverse biasing a short section of the diode laser chip, passive mode-locking at 3.4 GHz is achieved. Employing an asymmetric double quantum well allows for generation of a mode-locked optical spectrum spanning more than 15 nm (full width at -20 dB) while the symmetric double quantum well device only provides a bandwidth of ∼2.7 nm (full width at -20 dB). Analysis of the RF noise characteristics of the pulse repetition rate shows an RF linewidth of about 7 kHz (full width at half-maximum) and of at most 530 Hz (full width at half-maximum) for the asymmetric and symmetric double quantum well devices, respectively. Investigation of the frequency noise power spectral density at the pulse repetition rate shows a white noise floor of approximately 2100 Hz2/Hz and of at most 170 Hz2/Hz for the diode laser employing the asymmetric and symmetric double quantum well structures, respectively. The pulse width is less than 10 ps for both devices.
1 Ferdinand-Braun-Institut, Leibniz-Institut für Höchstfrequenztechnik, Gustav-Kirchhoff-Str. 4, 12489 Berlin, Germany
2 Institut für Physik, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Newtonstr. 15, 12489 Berlin, Germany
OCIS codes:
(140.2020) Diode lasers; (140.4050) Mode-locked lasers; (230.5590) Quantum-well, -wire and -dot devices; (140.5960) Semiconductor lasers.
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