Full‐range wavelength switching at tunable distributed amplification‐DFB laser with high‐accuracy feedforward control

Abstract

Abstract To realise an optical packet switching system, a tunable laser that can achieve high‐speed and wide‐range tuning is required. One candidate, we have studied for this role, is the tunable distributed amplification (TDA)‐distributed feedback (DFB) laser. In this study, with an aim to realise high‐speed switching at the full C‐band tuning range of a TDA‐DFB laser array, we investigated 800‐GHz‐wide switching, which is the maximum tuning range of a single TDA‐DFB laser. By improving the accuracy of feedforward control, we achieved a high‐speed wavelength switching time of 30 ns.

Keywords

• Lasing action in semiconductors
• Design of specific laser systems
• Laser beam modulation, pulsing and switching; mode locking and tuning
• Laser beam characteristics and interactions
• Laser beam modulation, pulsing and switching; mode locking and tuning
• Semiconductor lasers