1.5-/spl mu/m InGaAsP-InP slab-coupled optical waveguide lasers

Abstract

We report the demonstration of high-power semiconductor slab-coupled optical waveguide lasers (SCOWLs) operating at a wavelength of 1.5 μm. The lasers operate with large (4×8 μm diameter) fundamental mode and produce output power in excess of 800 mW. These structures have very low loss (/spl sim/0.5 cm/sup -1/) enabling centimeter-long devices for efficient heat removal. The large fundamental mode allows 55% butt-coupling efficiency to standard optical fiber (SMF-28). Comparisons are made between SCOWL structures having nominal 4- and 5-μm-thick waveguides.