Abstract

Vertical-cavity surface-emitting (VC-SE) lasers are promising for numerous applications in optical communications and optical signal processing. For system applications using wavelength- or frequency-division multiplexing, it is desirable to have wavelength-tunable lasers. Previously, we reported a tunable VC-SE laser that used a three-mirror coupled cavity.¹ However, in that case the tuning was discrete, thus limiting the applications. In this work we report the first continuous wavelength tuning in a two-electrode VC-SE laser with a full tuning range of 18 Å (540 GHz). The laser power remains nearly constant as the tuning current is varied for most of the tuning range.

© 1991 Optical Society of America