WDM Source Based on High-Power, Efficient 1280-nm DFB Lasers for Terabit Interconnect Technologies

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Abstract
We present a proof-of-concept 8-channel WDM source for future Terabit interconnects, based on a highly efficient laser array. The array is composed of novel, high power DFB lasers with record electro-optical efficiency, operating at 1280nm, with > 250mW laser output power and laser efficiencies of up to 36%. The 8-laser array, with ~ 100 GHz channel spacing is optically butt-coupled to a planar lightwave circuit (PLC) that consists of low-loss silicon nitride waveguides clad with silicon oxide for appropriate optical routing. Two types of optical routing are explored: 1) All 8 laser wavelengths are mixed and output into 10 channels via a star coupler. 2) The laser wavelengths are combined into a single output via an arrayed waveguide grating router (AWGR). The mixed/combined light is then butt-coupled to a fiber array to output the WDM source signal into polarization preserving single mode fibers. Improvements in insertion loss, particularly from optical butt coupling will make this approach a viable option for efficient WDM light sources.
Funding Information
  • Office of Science (DE-SC0017172)

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