High Peak Power, Narrow RF Linewidth Asymmetrical Cladding Quantum-Dash Mode-Locked Lasers

In this paper, we report the development of an asymmetrical cladding single-section InAs/InP quantum-dash mode-locked laser (MLL). The asymmetrical cladding structure allows us to decrease the internal losses and to increase the optical eigenmode mode size. We have measured continuous-wave power superior to 400 mW and RF linewidth as narrow as 300 Hz for passive modelocking. We have compressed the optical signal using the dispersion of a single-mode fiber (SMF) and we have measured the delay between groups of optical modes for different SMF lengths. With the appropriate SMF length, we have obtained a quasi-null delay. In this configuration, subpicosecond pulses with 18 W peak power have been demonstrated for 10-GHz MLL. These performances demonstrate the potential of InAs/InP MLL for frequency comb generation up to tetahertz domain and high peak power optical pulse generation.