Etched-coupled-cavity InGaAsP/InP lasers

A new structure for coupled-cavity lasers operating at 1.25 ¿m wavelength is presented. Using chemical etching, we made a three-cavity laser from an index-guided channelled-substrate Fabry-Perot laser. It oscillates in a single longitudinal mode with a side-mode suppression ratio of 200:1 in the pumping current range of 120 mA to 220 mA. The same mode was maintained at a fixed current of 160 mA as the heat-sink temperature was varied from 9°C to 45°C. The advantages of this laser over other coupled-cavity lasers are the simplicity of fabrication, the accuracy of cavity length control, and the possibility of incorporating short-etalon sections in the coupled cavities.