Abstract

Recent work on multicontact DFB lasers has demonstrated their potential for fast electrically driven wavelength switching,¹ for optical wavelength conversion,² and as optical logic gates and memories,³ Wavelength shifts of 1-2 nm between the two dominant DFB modes can be obtained by appropriate control of the currents through the sections of the device. This shift is useful for WDM type systems where flexible wavelength routing is desirable. Optical switching between two DFB lasing modes is demonstrated for input powers as low as −35 dBm by operating with a suitable set of bias currents.

© 1990 Optical Society of America