Multiwavelength DFB laser array with integrated spot size converters

Abstract

We describe the design, fabrication, and performance of a five-element quarterwave-shifted distributed feedback laser array with monolithically integrated spot size converters intended for use as a multiple-wavelength source in dense wavelength-division telecommunications systems. Facet power in excess of 10 mW with less than 150 mA bias and longitudinal side mode suppression greater than 40 dB were routinely achieved. Narrow far-field full-width at half-maximum angles of 6.9/spl deg//spl times/16.3/spl deg/ provided 3.5-dB coupling loss into single-mode fiber with 1.0-dB misalignment tolerances of /spl plusmn/2.0 /spl mu/m. With /spl plusmn/10/spl deg/C thermal tuning, 22 1555-nm channels spaced by 50 GHz were accessed with this device. Thorough field evaluation indicates that such a device is consistent with manufacturing requirements.