Strained-Layer Quantum-Well Laser Structures For Microwave Applications

Due to the enhanced differential quantum efficiency, high differential gain and potential low laser relative intensity noise of strained Quantum Well (QW) lasers, there is a significant opportunity to develop fiber optic links that employ QW lasers which may exceed the current link loss and noise figure performance of bulk laser based links. While high speed (>20GHz) strained layer QW lasers operating at short wavelengths have been demonstrated, no QW devices have yet been made that operate above l7GHz at l.3um or l.5um wavelength. This program will investigate the feasibility of developing, packaging and characterizing long wavelength (l.3um and l.5um) 25GHz modulaton bandwidth strained QW lasers for microwave and millimeterwave transmission applications. In particular, the effort will use existing QW material and laser structure models to optimize the modulation bandwidth of lasers that employ innovative InGaAs(P)/InP and InGaAlAs QW material systems. Furthermore, we will evaluate our existing laser packaging up to 25GHz and determine if improvements are required to realize the potential bandwidth of the new laser structure in a commercial microwave fiber optic transmitter/link.