Kicking the habit/semiconductor lasers without isolators
Abstract
In this paper, we propose and demonstrate a solution to the problem of coherence degradation and collapse caused by the back reflection of laser power into the laser resonator. The problem is most onerous in semiconductor lasers (SCLs), which are normally coupled to optical fibers, and results in the fact that practically every commercial SCL has appended to it a Faraday-effect isolator that blocks most of the reflected optical power preventing it from entering the laser resonator. The isolator assembly is many times greater in volume and cost than the SCL itself. This problem has resisted a practical and economic solution despite decades of effort and remains the main obstacle to the emergence of a CMOS-compatible photonic integrated circuit technology. A simple solution to the problem is thus of major economic and technological importance. We propose a strategy aimed at weaning semiconductor lasers from their dependence on external isolators. Lasers with large internal Q-factors can tolerate large reflections, limited only by the achievable Q values, without coherence collapse. A laser design is demonstrated on the heterogeneous Si/III-V platform that can withstand 25 dB higher reflected power compared to commercial DFB lasers. Larger values of internal Qs, achievable by employing resonator material of lower losses and improved optical design, should further increase the isolation margin and thus obviate the need for isolators altogether.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Nov 16, 2020
- Source ID
- 10.1364/oe.411816
Entities
People
- Amnon Yariv
- Christos T. Santis
- Dongwan Kim
- George Rakuljic
- Hetuo Chen
- Huolei Wang
- Mark Harfouche
- Naresh Satyan
- Zhewei Zhang
Organizations
- Army Research Office
- Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency