Ultra-wideband matrix DFB laser array based on enhanced self-heating effect

In this paper, an ultra-wideband distributed feedback (DFB) laser array with matrix grating based on the enhanced self-heating effect is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. 12 lasers are monolithically integrated with a 4 × 3 matrix style with a wavelength spacing of 5 nm. The reconstruction-equivalent-chirp technique is used to simplify the grating fabrication and enhance the precise control of the wavelength spacing. A cascaded Y-branch sharing identical active layers with the lasers is used to realize one waveguide output, which only requires a small current to compensate for the material absorption. This can reduce fabrication complexity compared to using the butt-coupling technique. A semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) is integrated in front of the laser array to amplify and adjust the optical power. By optimizing the doping concentration of the p-waveguide region, the self-heating effect of the DFB laser has been enhanced, thereby increasing the wavelength current tuning range of a laser unit. As a result, the wavelength of the laser array is precisely controlled, with the wavelength deviation of all 12 lasers maintained within ±0.2 nm. The wavelength current tuning range of a DFB laser unit reaches 5.8 nm. Consequently, without adjusting the thermoelectric cooler (TEC), the laser array can achieve a continuous wavelength current tuning range of up to 60 nm. After SOA amplification, the output power of the laser array is above 55 mW, and the relative intensity noise (RIN) is lower than -130 dB/Hz. Additionally, its side-mode suppression ratio (SMSR) is greater than 45 dB, indicating excellent single-longitudinal-mode properties. The proposed tunable laser is considered highly advantageous for dense wavelength-division multiplexing (DWDM) systems and optical sensing systems.