Widely tunable low-threshold current laser diodes fabricated from an e
ngineered multiple-quantum-well (MQW) gain structure consisting of thr
ee compressively strained In0.2Ga0.8As wells of different thicknesses
are reported, Using a grating in an external cavity, a continuous-wave
tuning range of 70 nm (911-981 nm) is measured for a 155-mu m semicon
ductor cavity length device at a current of 32 mA, This is the lowest
reported bias current for a semiconductor laser with this broad a tuni
ng range, A maximum continuous wave tuning of 80 nm (901-981 nm) has b
een measured at a bias current of 95 mA, At long wavelengths, a suppre
ssion of amplified spontaneous emission and preferential population of
the lowest energy well were observed.