Abstract

Tunable Distributed-Bragg-Reflector (DBR) lasers are forming the basis of the most widely studied semiconductor Photonic-Integrated-Circuits (PICs). With the development of Wavelength-Division-Multiplexed (WDM) systems, they will become the most widely used semiconductor PIC, and as the technology costs are reduced, they may well lead the way to the widespread use of WDM in local area networks for a wide variety of datacom and telecom applications. PICs being studied today range from simple two-section DBR lasers [1] through tunable-DBR lasers monolithically integrated with external modulators [2] to complex multiple-section coherent receivers [3]. Lasers with extremely wide tuning range have recently become an area of concentrated effort [4,5]. The design of the partially transmissive DBR mirror section and the technology to incorporate it within complex PICs continues to be a key enabler in the development of these PICs as well as an active area of research.

© 1994 Optical Society of America