Wavelength bistability and switching in two-section quantum-dot diode lasers

Published

June 1, 2010

Author(s)

Mingming M. Feng, Kevin L. Silverman, Richard P. Mirin, Steven T. Cundiff

Abstract

We report lasing wavelength bistability with respect to applied bias on the saturable absorbers in two-section mode-locked quantum dot lasers. We show data from three different devices exhibiting wavelength bistability. All lasers display wavelength bistability. Only one lasing wavelength is present at a time, with all other wavelengths totally quenched. The switchable ranges (the wavelength difference between two bistable lasing branches) are different for all three lasers and in one device can be manipulated by changing the current injection. All lasers show the remarkable property of switching only in integer multiples of about 8 nm. The bistable operation can be explained by the interplay of the cross-saturation and self-saturation properties in gain and absorber, and the quantum-confined Stark effect in absorber. The measured switching time between bistable wavelengths is 150 ps.

Citation

IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics

Volume

46

Issue

6

Pub Type

Journals

Download Paper

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Keywords

diode laser, mode-locked, quantum dot, wavelength bistability.

Citation

Feng, M. , Silverman, K. , Mirin, R. and Cundiff, S. (2010), Wavelength bistability and switching in two-section quantum-dot diode lasers, IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=903834 (Accessed October 24, 2025)