A Monolithically Integrated Racetrack Colliding-Pulse Mode-Locked Laser With Pulse-Picking Modulator

Abstract

We present a novel photonic integrated circuit (PIC) that monolithically integrates a racetrack colliding-pulse mode-locked laser with a pulse-picking electro-absorption modulator and a semiconductor optical amplifier on Indium Phosphide. We present detailed characterization of this PIC that includes optical pulse characterization, phase noise and long term stability under passive and hybrid mode-locking conditions. Allan deviation measurements made on the optical pulse train from the PIC show a fractional frequency instability of 8 × 10 <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">-11</sup> at 1 second and follow a 1/τ trend. We also demonstrate repetition rate reduction from ~10 GHz to ~500 MHz with an extinction ratio of ~14.65 dB using an on-chip pulse-picking electro-absorption modulator.