Wide wavelength tuning of sampled grating tunable twin-guide laser diodes

Tuning characteristics of widely tunable twin-guide (TTG) laser diodes with sampled gratings (SGs) are reported. Two SGs, providing slightly different reflection spectra, enable wide tunability by means of Vernier effect tuning. The device structure is vertically integrated and, hence, a DFB-like laser is obtained, which makes a phase tuning section unnecessary and facilitates easy and fast device characterisation. Although the tuning section can tune the SG reflection spectra by only ~2 nm, an overall tuning range of 28 nm has been achieved by employing Vernier effect tuning. Within the aforementioned tuning range, five supermodes are usable and can be tuned continuously without any mode-hops. The lasers operate at ~1.55 (mu)m wavelength and achieve a maximum output power of 12 mW.