150-nm tuning range in a grating-coupled external cavity quantum-dot laser

An antireflection (AR) coated single-stack quantum-dot (QD) laser in a grating-coupled external cavity is shown to operate across a tuning range from 1.095 μm to 1.245 μm. This 150-nm range extends from the energy levels of the ground state to excited states. At any wavelength, the threshold current density is no greater than 1.1 kA/cm2. This large tunable range is the product of the rapid carrier filling of the higher energy states under a low pumping current and homogeneous broadening in the QD ensemble. The possibility of a larger tuning range is discussed with the further improvement of the AR-coating.