SIMULTANEOUS MULTIPLE WAVELENGTH OPERATION OF A MULTISTRIPE ARRAY GRATING INTEGRATED CAVITY LASER

Simultaneous multiple-wavelength operation of a multistripe array grat ing integrated cavity laser is reported. We demonstrate simultaneous l asing from a single output port at 2, 3, and 4 discrete wavelengths, e ach independently selected from a comb of 9 wavelengths set at approxi mately 2 nm intervals, from 1512 to 1528 nm. Signal cross talk is exam ined for the case of two-wavelength emission and found to be independe nt of the wavelength separation. The emission wavelengths were linearl y spaced to within +/- 0.02 nm, while the comb's central wavelength de viated by less than 2 nm from its design value. This is the highest wa velength linearity and accuracy so far recorded for a monolithic multi wavelength source.