1310 nm surface etched grating

distributed feedback laser

Tuhin Paul,
M.Sc. Candidate,
Department of Physics
University of Ottawa
Motivation for the Project
 Distributed Feedback Laser

Energy Conservation: Amplitude x Feedback = 1

Momentum Conservation: The total phase

change for a round trip is integer multiple of 2𝜋
(Phase Matching Condition)

Source: “Modeling, Fabrication, and Measurement of Laterally Coupled Distributed Feedback Laser”
PhD Thesis by Ronald R. Millett, University of Ottawa
 Challenges in Fiber Optic Communication

• Dispersion: Broadening of light pulses in time domain.

Image Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWaNMjimtP0

Image Source: http://www.rroij.com/open-access/the-effects-of-
inter-symbol-interference-isiand-fir-pulse-shaping-filters-a-
survey.php?aid=43958
• Wavelength Division Multiplexing:

• Requirement for channel spacing for

current DWDM systems is 25 GHz;

• Longitudinal modes of multimode FP

lasers are separated by around 0.8
nm

Image Source: http://www.fiber-optic-transceiver-module.com/wavelength-

division-multiplexing-wdm-technology.html
 Why 1310 nm?
• Uncooled operation at lower power and reduced cost;

• InGaAsP/InP easily emit at 1310 nm at higher

temperature;

• Ge has higher responsivity at 1310 nm band due to

higher absorption coefficient;

.
Image Source:
https://www.vialite.com/resources/guides/choice-of-
wavelength-for-rf-over-fiber-1310nm-vs-1550nm/
 Convenience in Fabrication

Source: “Modeling, Fabrication, and Measurement of Laterally Coupled Distributed

Feedback Laser” PhD Thesis by Ronald R. Millett, University of Ottawa
 TAVI Surface Etched Grating Laser

Figure: Cross Section of the grating

• Excludes the regrowth stage;

• Grating is processed as surface

etched trenches, filled with SiN.

 SCH : Separate Confined Heterostructure;

 PWG : Passive Waveguide;
 MQW: Multiple Quantum Well;
Figure: cross-section of our laser  SEG : Surface Etched Grating
 Goal of the project
• Spatial Hole Burning: 𝜇=𝑀
𝑑𝑁 𝐼 𝑁
= − − ෍ Γ𝜇 𝐺𝜇 𝑃𝜇
 Occurs across the length of the laser; 𝑑𝑡 𝑒𝑉 𝜏𝑛
𝜇=1

 Uneven optical field distribution: 𝑅 𝑧 , 𝑆(𝑧)

𝑑𝑃𝜇 1 𝑁
= Γ𝜇 𝐺𝜇 − 𝑃 + 𝛽𝜇
𝑑𝑡 𝜏𝑝 𝜇 𝜏𝑟
𝑁 = 𝐶𝑎𝑟𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑟 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦;
𝑃 = 𝑃ℎ𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑛 𝐷𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦;
𝐼 = 𝐴𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑑 𝐶𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡;
𝑒 = 𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒;
𝑉 = 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑔𝑖𝑜𝑛;
𝜏𝑛 = 𝐶𝑎𝑟𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑟 𝐿𝑖𝑓𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒;
𝛽 = 𝑆𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑒𝑜𝑢𝑠 𝐸𝑚𝑖𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝐹𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟;
 Carrier density becomes non uniform; 𝐺 = 𝐺𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑠 −1 ;
Γ = 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝐹𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟;
 Refractive index becomes non uniform; 𝜏𝑟 = 𝑅𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑅𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑏𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡;
𝑀 = 𝑁𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑜𝑑𝑒𝑠 𝑚𝑜𝑑𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑑;
 Mode jump may occur 𝜇 = 𝑚𝑜𝑑𝑒 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟;
Static Analysis Results
 Modified Coupled Mode Theory
• Helmholtz Equation:
𝛻 2 𝐸𝑦 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 + 𝑘02 𝑛2 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 𝐸𝑦 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 = 0;

2𝜋
𝑘0 = = 𝑣𝑎𝑐𝑢𝑢𝑚 𝑤𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟;
𝜆0

𝑗2𝜋𝑞𝑧
• 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐱 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐞: 𝑛2 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 = 𝑛ො 02 𝑥, 𝑦 + σ∞
𝑞=−∞ 𝐴𝑞 𝑥, 𝑦 exp ;
Λ
𝑞≠0

𝑛ො 0 = 𝑛0 𝑥, 𝑦 − 𝑗𝛼ො 𝑥, 𝑦 ;

𝑛ො 02 = 𝑛02 − 2𝑗𝑛0 𝛼ො − 𝛼ො 2 ≈ 𝑛02 − 2𝑗𝑛0 𝛼; with 𝛼ො ≪ 𝑘0 𝑛0

• 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬:

𝑎+𝑏 2 𝑎+𝑏 2
• 𝑛𝑆𝐸𝐺 = 2Λ
𝑛𝐼𝑛𝑃 + (1 − 2Λ
)𝑛𝑆𝑖𝑁

2 2
𝑛𝑆𝑖𝑁 −𝑛𝐼𝑛𝑃 1 2𝑥
• 𝐴𝑞,𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑝 𝑥 = − sin 𝜋𝑞 −𝜗 1−
𝜋𝑞 2 𝑑
 𝑚
• Solution: 𝐸𝑦 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 = σ∞ 𝐸
−∞ 𝑦 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 exp(𝑗𝛽𝑚 𝑧)

𝑚
𝐸𝑥 = 𝑚𝑡ℎ 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑤𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑛𝑡;
𝛽𝑚 = 𝛽0 + 2𝜋𝑚/Λ;

(𝑚) (𝑚) (𝑚)

𝜕2 𝐸𝑦 𝜕𝐸𝑦 𝜕2 𝐸𝑦 𝑚 𝑚 𝑚−𝑞
• + 2𝑖𝛽𝑚 + + 𝑘02 𝑛ො 02 𝑥 𝐸𝑦 2
− 𝛽𝑚 𝐸𝑦 = −𝑘02 σ∞
𝑞=−∞ 𝐴𝑞 𝑥 𝐸𝑦 ; ∀𝑚 Main Equation!!!
𝜕𝑧 2 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 2
𝑞≠0

2Λ 𝜆
• Bragg Condition: 𝜆𝑔 = ; Λ=𝑁∗ ; 𝑁 = 1,2,3 …
𝑁 2𝑛𝑒𝑓𝑓

2𝜋𝑝 2𝜋𝑁
• Resonance Condition: 𝛽𝑝 = 𝛽0 + = 𝛽0 − = −𝛽0
Λ Λ

0
• 𝐸𝑦 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 = 𝑅 𝑧 𝜀0 𝑥, 𝑦 ; 𝑅 𝑧 𝑖𝑠 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑓 + 𝑧 𝑤𝑎𝑣𝑒

𝑝
• 𝐸𝑦 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 = 𝑆 𝑧 𝜀0 𝑥, 𝑦 ; 𝑆 𝑧 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑓 − 𝑧 𝑤𝑎𝑣𝑒
 𝜕2 𝜀0 𝑥,𝑦
• + 𝑘02 𝑛02 𝑥, 𝑦 − 𝛽02 𝜀0 𝑥, 𝑦 = 0; Fundamental quasi TE mode!!!
𝜕𝑥 2

Assumptions: It is negligibly perturbed by higher order terms, and the imaginary part of
the refractive index

𝑑𝑅 𝑗𝑘02 𝑔
• + −𝛼 − 𝑗𝛿 𝑅 𝑧 = 𝑗𝜅−𝑝 𝑆 𝑧 + σ∞𝑞=−∞ ‫׬‬0 𝐴𝑞 (𝑥) 𝜀0 𝑥, 𝑦 𝐸𝑥−𝑞 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦;
𝑑𝑧 2𝛽0 𝑃
𝑞≠0,−𝑝
𝑑𝑆 𝑗𝑘02 𝑔 𝑝−𝑞
• + −𝛼 − 𝑗𝛿 𝑆 𝑧 = 𝑗𝜅𝑝 𝑅 𝑧 + 2𝛽 σ∞𝑞=−∞ ‫׬‬0 𝐴𝑞 (𝑥) 𝜀0 𝑥, 𝑦 𝐸𝑥 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦;
𝑑𝑧 0𝑃 𝑞≠0,−𝑝

−∞
• 𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫: 𝑃 = ‫𝜀 ∞׬‬02 (𝑥) 𝑑𝑥;

𝑘02 ∞
• 𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐥 𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧: 𝛼= ‫׬‬ 𝑛 𝑥 𝛼෤ 𝑥 𝜀02 𝑥, 𝑦 𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦;
2𝛽0 𝑃 −∞ 0

𝑘02 ∞
• 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭: 𝜅𝑝 = ‫׬‬ 𝐴 𝑥 𝜀0 2 𝑥, 𝑦 𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦;
2𝛽0 𝑃 −∞ 𝑝

• 𝐝𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝛿 = 𝛽 − 𝛽0 ;
 𝑚
𝜕2 𝐸𝑦 (𝑥,𝑦,𝑧) 𝑚
• . + 𝑘02 𝑛02 𝑥, 𝑦 − 𝛽𝑚
2 𝐸
𝑥 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 = −𝑘02 𝐴𝑚 𝑥, 𝑦 𝑅 𝑧 + 𝐴𝑚−𝑝 (𝑥, 𝑦𝑆 𝑧 𝜀0 𝑥 ;
𝜕𝑥 2
Assumptions:
(0) (𝑝) 𝑚
 Only 𝐸𝑦 and 𝐸𝑦 play role in generating 𝐸𝑦 ;
 Slowly varying wave approximation:
 𝛼෤ may be neglected

𝑚 0 𝑝
• Solution: 𝐸𝑦 𝑥, 𝑧 = 𝑅 𝑧 𝜀𝑚 𝑥 + 𝑆 𝑧 𝜀𝑚 𝑥 ; 𝑚 ≠ 𝑖, 𝑖 = 0, 𝑝

generated by the +z
(0) (𝑝)
wave 𝐸𝑦 generated by the –z wave 𝐸𝑦

𝑖
𝑑 2 𝜀𝑚 (𝑥,𝑦) 𝑖
• + 𝑘02 𝑛02 𝑥, 𝑦 − 𝛽𝑚
2 𝜀
𝑚 𝑥, 𝑦 = −𝑘 2
0 𝐴𝑚−𝑖 𝜀0 𝑥, 𝑦 ; 𝑚 ≠ 𝑖, 𝑖 = 0, 𝑝
𝑑𝑥 2
Equation for radial waves!!!
 𝑑𝑅
• + −𝛼 − 𝑗𝛿 − 𝑗𝜁1 𝑅 = 𝑗 𝜅𝑝∗ + 𝜁2 𝑆;
𝑑𝑧
Modified Coupled Mode Equations!!!

𝑑𝑆
• + −𝛼 − 𝑗𝛿 − 𝑗𝜁3 𝑆 = 𝑗 𝜅𝑝 + 𝜁4 𝑅;
𝑑𝑧

(0)
• 𝜍1 = σ∞
−∞ 𝜂𝑞,−𝑞
The reaction of all partial waves, radiating and non-radiating, generated by the forward
propagating mode on the forward propagating mode itself
(𝑝)
• 𝜍2 = σ∞
−∞ 𝜂𝑞,−𝑞 The reaction of all partial waves, radiating and non-radiating, generated by the backward
propagating mode on the forward propagating mode.
(𝑝)
• 𝜍3 = σ∞
−∞ 𝜂𝑞,𝑝−𝑞 The reaction of all partial waves, radiating and non-radiating, generated by the backward
propagating mode on the forward propagating mode itself.
(0)
• 𝜍4 = σ∞
−∞ 𝜂𝑞,𝑝−𝑞 The reaction of all partial waves, radiating and non-radiating, generated by the forward
propagating mode on the backward propagating mode .

𝑘02 𝑔
𝑥 𝑑𝑥 Coupling between the guided mode,
(𝑖) 𝑖
• 𝜂𝑟,𝑠 = ‫׬‬ 𝐴 𝑥 𝜀0 𝑥 𝜀𝑠
2𝛽0 𝑃 0 𝑟 and the other modes!!!
 Steps involved
𝜕2 𝜀0 𝑥,𝑦
 First finding the fundamental TE mode: 𝜕𝑥 2
+ 𝑘02 𝑛02 𝑥, 𝑦 − 𝛽02 𝜀0 𝑥, 𝑦 = 0

𝑖
𝑑2 𝜀𝑚 (𝑥,𝑦) 𝑖
 Calculate the partial wave solutions: 𝑑𝑥 2
+ 𝑘02 𝑛02 𝑥, 𝑦 − 𝛽𝑚
2
𝜀𝑚 𝑥, 𝑦 = −𝑘02 𝐴𝑚−𝑖 𝜀0 𝑥, 𝑦 ; 𝑚 ≠ 𝑖, 𝑖 = 0, 𝑝

 Compute the Streifer coefficients: 𝜁1 , 𝜁2 , 𝜁3 , 𝜁4

𝑑𝑅
 Solve the longitudinal mode equations: 𝑑𝑧
+ −𝛼 − 𝑗𝛿 − 𝑗𝜁1 𝑅 = 𝑗 𝜅𝑝∗ + 𝜁2 𝑆;
𝑑𝑆
+ −𝛼 − 𝑗𝛿 − 𝑗𝜁3 𝑆 = 𝑗 𝜅𝑝 + 𝜁4 𝑅;
𝑑𝑧

 Plot the transmission spectrum;

Numerical Results
 Mode Solution

𝜕 2 𝜀0 𝑥, 𝑦
2
+ 𝑘02 𝑛02 𝑥 − 𝛽02 𝜀0 𝑥, 𝑦 = 0
𝜕𝑥

Confinement Factor
PWG 3.05004%
SEG 1.00892%
 Partial Wave Solution
𝑖
𝑑 2 𝜀𝑚 (𝑥, 𝑦) 2 2 2 𝜀 𝑖 𝑥, 𝑦 = −𝑘 2 𝐴
+ 𝑘 𝑛
0 0 𝑥, 𝑦 − 𝛽𝑚 𝑚 0 𝑚−𝑖 𝜀0 𝑥, 𝑦 ; 𝑚 ≠ 𝑖, 𝑖 = 0, 𝑝
𝑑𝑥 2

For 𝑝 = −3; Λ = 0.3562

Streifer Values
Coefficients
𝜁1 = 𝜁3 -2.17+i290

𝜁2 1.02-i1.10

𝜁4 1.02-i1.10

𝜅 15.43

Source: https://www.comsol.com/paper/download/100931/Schriemer.pdf
 Longitudinal Mode Solution

• 𝑅′ + −𝛼 − 𝑗𝛿 − 𝑗𝜁1 𝑅 = 𝑗 𝜅𝑝∗ + 𝜁2 𝑆; −𝛾𝑧

 𝑅 𝑧 = 𝑟1 𝑒 𝛾𝑧 + 𝑟2 𝑒2

−𝛾𝑧
• 𝑆 ′ + −𝛼 − 𝑗𝛿 − 𝑗𝜁3 𝑆 = 𝑗 𝜅𝑝 + 𝜁4 𝑅;  𝑆 𝑧 = 𝑠1 𝑒 𝛾𝑧 + 𝑠2 𝑒2

Boundary Conditions: 𝑅 0 = 1;
R(z) 𝚲 S(z) 𝑆 𝐿 = 0;

𝑖(𝜅𝑝 +𝜁4 )sinh[𝛾 𝐿 − 𝑧 ]

𝑆 𝑧 = 𝑅0
𝛾 cosh 𝛾𝐿 − 𝛼 + 𝑖𝛿 + 𝑖𝜁1 sinh(𝛾𝐿)

𝛾 2 = 𝛼 + 𝑖𝛿 + 𝑖𝜁1 2 + (𝜅𝑝∗ + 𝜁2 )(𝜅𝑝 + 𝜁4 )

Image Source: Dispersion Relation

https://courses.cit.cornell.edu/ece533/Lectures/handout13.pdf
 Longitudinal Mode Solution

 Oscillation Condition: 𝛾 cosh 𝛾𝐿 − 𝛼 + 𝑖𝛿 + 𝑖𝜁1 sinh 𝛾𝐿 = 0;

1/2
 Insert 𝛼 + 𝑖𝛿 + 𝑖𝜁1 = 𝛾 2 − 𝜅𝑝 + 𝜁4 𝜅𝑝∗ + 𝜁2 ;

1/2
 Eigenvalue Equation: 𝛾 = ±𝑖 𝜅𝑝 + 𝜁4 𝜅𝑝∗ + 𝜁2 sinh 𝛾𝐿 ;

 For every 𝛾, there is a pair of (𝛼𝑡ℎ , 𝛿) ;

Source: W. Streifer, D. R. Scifres, and R. D. Burnham, “Coupled wave analysis of DFB and
DBR lasers”, IEEE J. Quantum Electron., vol. QE-13, pp. 134-141, Apr. 1977
 Reflection Spectrum

𝑆(𝐿) 𝑖(𝜅𝑝 +𝜁4 )

=
𝑆(0) 𝛾 cosh 𝛾𝐿 − 𝛼 + 𝑖𝛿 + 𝑖𝜁1 sinh(𝛾𝐿)

Parameters Values

𝜁4 1.02-i1.10

𝜁1 -2.17+i290

𝐿 0.1 cm

𝛼 13.7 cm-1

𝜅𝑝 15.43
 Effect of External Mirror

𝑆 0 𝜅𝑝 + 𝜁4
=
𝑅 0 𝛾 cosh 𝛾𝐿 (𝜅𝑝 +𝜁4 + 𝛼 + 𝑖𝛿 + 𝑖𝜁1 1 − 𝑟 − 𝛼 + 𝑖𝛿 + 𝑖𝜁1 2 − 𝛾 2 𝑟 sinh(𝛾𝐿) • 𝑅 0 = 1;
• 𝑆 𝐿 =𝑟∗𝑅 0 ;
Facet reflectivity • 𝑟 = −0.565

Source: W. Streifer, D. R. Scifres, and R. D. Burnham, “Effect of External

Reflectors on longitudinal modes distributed feedback lasers,” IEEE J.
Quantum Electron., vol. QE-11, pp. 154-161, Apr. 1975
 Next Stages

 Doing Dynamic Analysis;

 Doing experiments
References
 Acknowledgement

Dr. Ksenia Dolgaleva Valery Tolstikhin

Professor, Photonics / Optoelectronics /
University of Ottawa. Optical Communications
Canada Research Chair, Tier 2 Professional, President & CEO at
INTENGENT
Thank you for your attention!