Sub-picosecond pulse and terahertz optical frequency comb generation by monolithically integrated linear mode-locked laser

Abstract

We report on a record broad 3-dB bandwidth of 14 nm (~1.8 THz around 1532 nm) optical frequency comb generated from a passively mode-locked quantum-well (QW) laser in the form of photonic integrated circuits through an InP generic photonic integration technology platform. This 21.5-GHz colliding-pulse mode-locked laser cavity is defined by two on-chip reflectors incorporating intracavity phase modulators followed by an out-of-cavity SOA as booster. Under certain operating conditions, an ultra-wide spectral bandwidth is achieved along with an autocorrelation trace confirming the mode locking nature exhibiting a pulse width of 0.35 ps. The beat note RF spectrum has a linewidth of sub-MHz and 35-dB SNR.