Time-Domain Travelling-Wave Model for Quantum Dot Passively Mode-Locked Lasers (original) (raw)

Traveling wave modeling, simulation, and analysis of quantum-dot mode-locked semiconductor lasers

SPIE Proceedings, 2010

We analyze the dynamics of a mode-locked quantum-dot edge-emitting semiconductor laser consisting of reversely biased saturable absorber and forward biased amplifying sections. To describe spatial non-uniformity of laser parameters, optical fields and carrier distributions we use the traveling wave model, which takes into account carrier exchange processes between wetting layer and quantum dots. A comprehensive parameter study and an optical mode analysis of operation regimes are presented.

Simulation and Analysis of Dynamic Regimes Involving Ground and Excited State Transitions in Quantum Dot Passively Mode-Locked Lasers

IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics, 2000

We present a modified version of the multisection delayed differential equation model, for quantum dot passively mode-locked (ML) lasers when competition between ground state (GS) and excited state (ES) ML takes place. The model takes into account the difference in the group velocity of GS and ES fields. Sole GS, sole ES, and dual-state lasing and ML have been studied. The results are verified with time domain traveling wave simulations and compared, when possible, with experimental results. These tests confirmed the reliability of the model. We found that, in two-section ML lasers, GS lasing and mode locking are always more easily established. For instance, GS lasing can be either self-starting or induced by the initial lasing from the higher energy ES. On the contrary, GS lasing tends to inhibit, to a certain extent, the onset of ES lasing, especially at low injection current and low reverse voltage. Moreover, ES shows less potential to achieve stable ML than GS. Based on these findings, we propose proper theoretical explanation of the achieved lasing and ML regimes in realized devices. Especially, we demonstrate a novel stable dual-state ML regime with remarkable enhanced pulse peak power and pulse width.

Broadening of mode-locking pulses in quantum-dot semiconductor lasers : simulation, analysis and experiments

2019

We consider a mode-locked quantum-dot edge-emitting semiconductor laser consisting of a reverse biased saturable absorber and a forward biased amplifying section. To describe the dynamics of this laser we use the traveling wave model taking into account carrier exchange processes between a reservoir and the quantum dots. A comprehensive parameter study is presented and an analysis of mode-locking pulse broadening with an increase of injection current is performed. The results of our theoretical analysis are supported by experimental data demonstrating a strong pulse asymmetry in a monolithic two section quantum dot mode-locked laser

Pulse Broadening in Quantum-Dot Mode-Locked Semiconductor Lasers: Simulation, Analysis, and Experiments

IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics, 2011

We consider a mode-locked (ML) quantum-dot (QD) edge-emitting semiconductor laser consisting of a reversebiased saturable absorber and a forward-biased amplifying section. To describe the dynamics of this laser, we use the traveling wave model taking into account carrier exchange processes between a reservoir and the QDs. A comprehensive parameter study is presented and an analysis of mode-locking pulse broadening with an increase of injection current is performed. The results of our theoretical analysis are supported by experimental data demonstrating a strong pulse asymmetry in a monolithic two-section QD laser.

Delay differential equation-based modeling of passively mode-locked quantum dot lasers using measured gain and loss spectra

Physics and Simulation of Optoelectronic Devices XX, 2012

In this paper, we investigate the dynamics of a nonlinear delay differential equation model for passive mode-locking in semiconductor lasers, when the delay model is seeded with parameters extracted from the gain and loss spectra of a quantum dot laser. The approach used relies on narrowing the parameter space of the model by constraining the values of most of the model parameters to values extracted from gain and loss measurements at threshold. The impact of the free parameters, namely, the linewidth enhancement factors that are not available from the gain and loss measurements, on the device output is then analyzed using the results of direct integration of the delay model. In addition to predicting experimentally observed trends such as pulse trimming with applied absorber bias, the simulation results offer insight into the range of values of the linewidth enhancement factors in the gain and absorber sections permissible for stable mode-locking near threshold. Further, the simulations show that this range of permissible values is significantly reduced under the application of a bias voltage on the absorber section, thereby suggesting that an applied bias is not only required for pulse trimming, but also a reduction in the linewidth enhancement factor, which is important for telecomm and datacomm applications where such devices are sought as pulsed sources, as well as in military RF photonic applications, where mode-locked diode lasers are used as low noise clocks for sampling.

Pulse Characterization of Passively Mode-Locked Quantum-Dot Lasers Using a Delay Differential Equation Model Seeded With Measured Parameters

IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics, 2000

A delay differential equation-based model for passive mode locking in semiconductor lasers is shown to offer a powerful and versatile mathematical framework to simulate quantumdot lasers, thereby offering an invaluable theoretical tool to study and comprehend the experimentally observed trends specific to such systems. To this end, mathematical relations are derived to transform physically measured quantities from the gain and loss spectra of the quantum-dot material into input parameters to seed the model. In the process, a novel approach toward extracting the carrier relaxation ratio for the device from the measured spectra, which enables a viable alternative to conventional pump-probe techniques, is presented. The simulation results not only support previously observed experimental results, but also offer invaluable insight into the device output dynamics and pulse characteristics that might not be readily understood using standard techniques such as autocorrelation and frequency-resolved optical gating.

Weierstraß-Institut für Angewandte Analysis und Stochastik Dynamical regimes in a monolithic passively mode-locked quantum dot laser

2010

Operation regimes of a two section monolithic quantum dot (QD) mode-locked laser are studied experimentally and theoretically, using a model that takes into account carrier exchange between QD ground state and 2D reservoir of a QD-in-a-well structure, and experimentally. It is shown analytically and numerically that, when the absorber section is long enough, the laser exhibits bistability between laser off state and different mode-locking regimes. The Q-switching instability leading to slow modulation of the mode-locked pulse peak intensity is completely eliminated in this case. When, on the contrary, the absorber length is rather short, in addition to usual Q-switched mode-locking, pure Q-switching regimes are predicted theoretically and observed experimentally.

Delay Differential Equation-Based Modeling of Passively Mode-Locked Quantum Dot Lasers Using Measured Gain and Loss Spectra (Postprint)

2013

In this paper, we investigate the dynamics of a nonlinear delay differential equation model for passive mode-locking in semiconductor lasers, when the delay model is seeded with parameters extracted from the gain and loss spectra of a quantum dot laser. The approach used relies on narrowing the parameter space of the model by constraining the values of most of the model parameters to values extracted from gain and loss measurements at threshold. The impact of the free parameters, namely, the linewidth enhancement factors that are not available from the gain and loss measurements, on the device output is then analyzed using the results of direct integration of the delay model. In addition to predicting experimentally observed trends such as pulse trimming with applied absorber bias, the simulation results offer insight into the range of values of the linewidth enhancement factors in the gain and absorber sections permissible for stable mode-locking near threshold. Further, the simulations show that this range of permissible values is significantly reduced under the application of a bias voltage on the absorber section, thereby suggesting that an applied bias is not only required for pulse trimming, but also a reduction in the linewidth enhancement factor, which is important for telecomm and datacomm applications where such devices are sought as pulsed sources, as well as in military RF photonic applications, where mode-locked diode lasers are used as low noise clocks for sampling.

Dynamical regimes in a monolithic passively mode-locked quantum dot laser

Journal of the Optical Society of America B, 2010

Operation regimes of a two section monolithic quantum dot (QD) mode-locked laser are studied experimentally with InGaAs lasers and theoretically, using a model that takes into account carrier exchange between QD ground state and two-dimensional reservoir of a QD-in-a-well structure. It is shown analytically and numerically that, when the absorber section is long enough, the laser exhibits bistability between laser off state and different mode-locking regimes. The Q-switching instability leading to slow modulation of the mode-locked pulse peak intensity is completely eliminated in this case. When, on the contrary, the absorber length is rather short, in addition to usual Q-switched mode-locking, pure Q-switching regimes are predicted theoretically and observed experimentally.

Two-state passive mode-locking of quantum dot semiconductor lasers: Classical state scenario and novel reverse state dynamics

2010 12th International Conference on Transparent Optical Networks, ICTON 2010, 2010

We present both experimental and theoretical investigations of the so-called reverse emission state dynamics in a two-section InAs/InGaAs Quantum Dot (QD) laser. In contrast to the classical state scenario, we demonstrate by properly designing the laser cavity and the QD active region, a reversal of the emission state transition: At a certain gain current Excited-state (ES) lasing and mode-locking (ML) starts first and then, with increasing gain current, a transition to simultaneous ES and ground-state (GS) ML takes place. This enables a novel approach to wavelength-switching of the mode-locked pulses over a range of 63 nm: the realization of a two-section QD laser with a resistor Self-Electro-optic Effect Device (SEED) configuration. These results are reviewed together with the state-of-the-art realization of InAs/InGaAs two-section QD lasers operating in two-state ML regime . Keywords: two-state and dual-wavelength emission, passive mode-locking, optical wavelength switching, quantum dot laser emission hierarchy, two-section quantum dot semiconductor laser, stable picosecond pulse generation, quantum dot resistor Self-Electro-optic Effect Device (SEED).