Simple detuning method for low-chirp operation in polymer-based tunable external-cavity lasers.

We propose and demonstrate a simple detuning method for the low-chirp operation of a polymer-based tunable external-cavity laser (ECL). To ensure the low-chirp operation of this directly-modulated ECL, we first obtain the optimum values of the heater current applied to the polymer Bragg grating reflector (PBR) and the operating temperature of this ECL. For this purpose, we sweep the current applied to the phase control heater until the peak output power measured from the high-reflection (HR) coated facet reaches the minimum value.

10-Gb/s direct modulation of polymer-based tunable external cavity lasers.

We demonstrate a directly-modulated 10-Gb/s tunable external cavity laser (ECL) fabricated by using a polymer Bragg reflector and a high-speed superluminescent diode (SLD). The tuning range and output power of this ECL are measured to be >11 nm and 2.6 mW (@ 100 mA), respectively.