InGaAlAs-InP ridge waveguide distributed Bragg reflector lasers with deeply dry-etched surface gratings

Summary form only given. Distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) lasers have potential advantages over distributed feedback (DFB) lasers due to the fact that the separation of the active gain section from the passive grating section can lead to lower chirp and better temperature stability. Utilising surface gratings to fabricate DBR lasers avoids the problems of regrowth, and surface gratings have recently been used to fabricate DBR lasers in the InGaAsP-InP material system for operation at 1.5 /spl mu/m. We here report 1.5 /spl mu/m surface grating DBR lasers fabricated in InGaAlAs-InP material as an alternative to InGaAsP-InP system. The InGaAlAs-InP system has a larger conduction band offset (70% /spl Delta/Eg), more efficient electron injection, lower Auger effect and better temperature stability over InGaAs-InP material. Its principal drawback is that suitable fabrication processes are less well developed.