Wavelength-stabilised external-cavity laser diode using cavity resonator integrated guided mode filter

The first wavelength-stabilised external-cavity laser diode using a new generation of resonant grating filters called the cavity resonator integrated guided mode filter (CRIGF) is reported. The CRIGF combines high reflectivity and spectral selectivity for tightly focused beams allowing the simplified `cat´s eye´ external cavity to be used. Output powers of more than 10 mW together with a side mode suppression ratio larger than 35 dB for a drive current of 50 mA are achieved. CRIGF-controlled operation at a wavelength spanning a 20 nm range is also demonstrated, with a linear relationship between the CRIGF period and output wavelength.