Optical system including wavelength-tunable semiconductor laser
This patent describes an optical system. It comprises at least one wavelength-tunable source of laser radiation, the source including a semiconductor laser comprising an active layer sandwiched between first and second layers of material having a lower refractive index than that of the active layer, the active layer having a composition which includes III-V compound semiconductor material; and at least one photodetector, capable of optical communication with the source, characterized in that the active layer includes at least one layer of n-type dopant and at least one layer of p-type dopant, and the source further includes means for optically and/or electrically, nonuniformly pumping the active layer, the degree of nonuniformity being such that the resulting, average excitation level in at least a first region of the active layer is at least ten percent higher than that in a second region of the active layer. The average excitation level in the second region being less than the threshold level needed to achieve stimulated emission in the second region.
- Assignee:
- AT and T Bell Lab., Murray Hill, NJ (USA)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4980892; A
- Application Number:
- PPN: US 7-358972
- OSTI ID:
- 5552745
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: 30 May 1989
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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