Abstract

Recent progress in the wavelength division multiplexing technologies for broadband fiber optic communication systems has called for a multiple wavelength light source. The monolithic integration of lasers into a multi-wavelength laser array (MLA) has been presented as a promising approach to reduce the cost per wavelength so that the cost of packaging and of the required pigtail optics can be shared by a large number of wavelengths. The conventional approaches for fabricating an MLA require a way of varying the Bragg wavelengths of constituent distributed feedback (DFB) lasers across the array, which can be real-ized by several techniques such as multiple holographic exposure, e-beam writing,¹ and selective area growth.² But, most of the existing approaches are not applicable to mass production because of complex fabrication procedures and difficulties in accurate control of the wavelength spacing. It is highly desirable to vary the lasing wavelength of the MLA without using rather complicated and expensive procedures.

© 2002 Optical Society of America