Abstract

Single-frequency, narrow-linewidth, tunable lasers are required in applications such as spectroscopy, sensing, and coherent optical communications. We have previously proposed¹ combining a semiconductor gain medium with titanium diffused lithium niobate (Ti:LiNbO₃) waveguide devices to form compact lasers that permit electro-optic control of the output characteristics. This possibility was first demonstrated by actively mode-locking such a hybrid device¹. Here we report the demonstration of the single-frequency and narrow-linewidth oscillation of a new InGaAsP-Ti:LiNbO₃ extended cavity laser. The versatility and potential of this approach is illustrated by the integration on the single lithium niobate crystal of a parallel coupled cavity to assist the single longitudinal mode and narrow-linewidth operation, electro-optic elements for tuning the resonant frequencies of the cavities, and an external phase modulator for encoding data.

© 1986 Optical Society of America