STTR Phase I: Compact Semiconductor Ring Resonator Lasers

This Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) Phase I research project will develop ultra low-loss, curved geometry compound semiconductor optical waveguides. It will investigate the feasibility of realizing compact semiconductor optical waveguide bends and ring resonators for improved light management in low-cost compact single-facet lasers capable of low threshold, high output power, and tunable single-frequency operation. This will enable the uniform oxidation of sidewalls in deeply etched high-index-contrast ridge-waveguides. The process simultaneously reduces sidewall roughness, remediates etch damage, provides excellent surface passivation, and creates a high confinement structure enabling efficient laser operation within low-loss, tightly-curved waveguides. This effort will accelerate the commercialization of new innovations for manipulating and managing photons in semiconductor optical waveguides and resonators, and promote more rapid and widespread deployment of high-bandwidth optical communication networks in local and metro area settings. In addition, the proposed compact ring resonator technology will make possible advanced integration of components for wavelength division multiplexed fiber optic networks that are not practical with the current state-of-the-art, bringing new concepts for high efficiency and high bandwidth all-optical routing to both metro and long-haul telecommunications markets.