WAVELENGTH-DEPENDENT OPTIMUM OUTPUT COUPLING ENHANCES PERFORMANCE OF EXTERNAL-CAVITY-TUNED SEMICONDUCTOR-LASERS AT 1.5-MU-M

The output power of an external-cavity-tuned laser has been significan tly increased by using an output coupler with a wavelength-dependent r eflectivity. Our algorithm for determining the optimum wavelength depe ndence uses a simple gain model, and all necessary parameters can be d etermined from measurements of the same actual gain medium that will b e used in the tunable laser source. This approach also increases tunin g range.