10-GHz 1.59-μm quantum dash passively mode-locked two-section lasers

This paper reports the fabrication and the characterisation of a 10 GHz two-section passively mode-locked quantum dash laser emitting at 1.59 μm. The potential of the device's mode-locking is investigated through an analytical model taking into account both the material parameters and the laser geometry. Results show that the combination of a small absorbing section coupled to a high absorption coefficient can lead to an efficient mode-locking. Characterisation shows mode-locking operation though output pulses are found to be strongly chirped. Noise measurements demonstrate that the single side band phase noise does not exceed -80 dBc/Hz at 100 kHz offset leading to an average timing jitter as low as 800 fs. As compared to single QW lasers these results constitute a significant improvement and are of first importance for applications in optical telecommunications.