Dual-Wavelength InAlGaAs–InP Laterally Coupled Distributed Feedback Laser

The design and operation of a novel dual-wavelength laterally coupled (LC) distributed feedback (DFB) semiconductor laser are reported. The laser has two different grating periods, one on each sidewall. Stable dual-mode emission, with low threshold currents and good extinction ratio approaching 30 dB, has been demonstrated. Generation of millimeter-wave signals by photomixing has been performed, and the linewidths of each of the individual modes and of the beat mode have been measured as a function of the injection current. It is observed that while the linewidth of the separate modes has a modest dependence on the injection level, the linewidth of the beat mode experiences a strong decrease as the injected current increases