Passive mode-locking of two-section quantum-dot mode-locked lasers grown by metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy on InP is reported. 1250-μm long lasers exhibit a wide tuning range of 300 MHz around the fundamental mode-locking frequency of 33.48 GHz. The frequency tuning is achieved by varying the reverse bias of the saturable absorber from 0 to −2.2 V and the gain section current from 90 to 280 mA. 3 dB optical spectra width of 6–7 nm leads to ex-facet optical pulses with full-width half-maximum down to 3.7 ps. Single-section quantum-dot mode-locked lasers show 0.8 ps broad optical pulses after external fiber-based compression. Injection current tuning from 70 to 300 mA leads to 30 MHz frequency tuning.

Quantum dot lasers are envisioned to be the next generation of optical transmitters used for short-reach communication links, owing to their low threshold current and high temperature operation. However, in a context of steady increase in both speed and reach, quantum dot lasers emitting on their upper energy levels have been recently of greater interest as they are touted for their faster modulation dynamics. This work aims at further evaluating the potential impact of such lasers in communication links by characterizing their long-delay optical feedback responses as well as the role of the lasing states on the multimode dynamics of InAs/GaAs quantum-dot Fabry-Perot devices sharing the same design. Results unveil that the excited-state laser shows a much larger sensitivity to optical feedback, with a more complex route to chaos, and a first destabilization point occurring at lower feedback strengths than for a comparable ground-state laser, which remains almost unaffected.

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