Apple Inc.

Other

Ross M Audet

Mark Alan Arbore

Alfredo Bismuto

Yves Bidaux

Antoine Jean André Müller

Jeffrey G Koller

Miikka M Kangas

Gary Shambat

Tobias Gresch

Camille Tardy

Antoine Jean André Muller

A laser chip including a plurality of stripes is disclosed, where a laser stripe can be grown with an initial optical gain profile, and its optical gain profile can be shifted by using an intermixing process. In this manner, multiple laser stripes can be formed on the same laser chip from the same epitaxial wafer, where at least one laser stripe can have an optical gain profile shifted relative to another laser stripe. For example, each laser stripe can have a shifted optical gain profile relative to its neighboring laser stripe, thereby each laser stripe can emit light with a different range of wavelengths. The laser chip can emit light across a wide range of wavelengths. Examples of the disclosure further includes different regions of a given laser stripe having different intermixing amounts.

Laser architectures using quantum well intermixing techniques

Integrated laser sources emitting multi-wavelengths of light with reduced thermal transients and crosstalk and methods for operating thereof are disclosed. The integrated laser sources can include one or more heaters and a temperature control system to maintain a total thermal load of the gain segment, the heater(s), or both of a given laser to be within a range based on a predetermined target value. The system can include electrical circuitry configured to distribute current to the gain segment, the heater(s), or both. The heater(s) can be located proximate to the gain segment, and the distribution of current can be based on the relative locations. In some examples, the central laser can be heated prior to being activated. In some examples, one or more of the plurality of lasers can operate in a subthreshold operation mode when the laser is not lasing to minimize thermal perturbations to proximate lasers.

Integrated laser source

Methods for driving a tunable laser with integrated tuning elements are disclosed. The methods can include modulating the tuning current and laser injection current such that the laser emission wavelength and output power are independently controllable. In some examples, the tuning current and laser injection current are modulated simultaneously and a wider tuning range can result. In some examples, one or both of these currents is sinusoidally modulated. In some examples, a constant output power can be achieved while tuning the emission wavelength. In some examples, the output power and tuning can follow a linear relationship. In some examples, injection current and tuning element drive waveforms necessary to achieve targeted output power and tuning waveforms can be achieved through optimization based on goodness of fit values between the targeted and actual output power and tuning waveforms.

Independent control of emission wavelength and output power of a semiconductor laser

Disclosed is a Vernier effect DBR laser that has uniform laser injection current pumping along the length of the laser. The laser can include one or more tuning elements, separate from the laser injection element, and these tuning elements can be used to control the temperature or modal refractive index of one or more sections of the laser. The refractive indices of each diffraction grating can be directly controlled by temperature changes, electro optic effects, or other means through the one or more tuning elements. With direct control of the temperature and/or refractive indices of the diffraction gratings, the uniformly pumped Vernier effect DBR laser can be capable of a wider tuning range. Additionally, uniform pumping of the laser through a single electrode can reduce or eliminate interfacial reflections caused by, for example, gaps between metal contacts atop the laser ridge, which can minimize multi-mode operation and mode hopping.

Vernier effect DBR lasers incorporating integrated tuning elements

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Menlo Park, CA, United States of America

Ross M Audet