EXTENDED TUNING RANGE IN SAMPLED GRATING DBR LASERS

We demonstrate, for the first time, successful implementation of a dis tributed Bragg reflector laser with two ''sampled grating'' mirrors, w hich we previously predicted should give tuning range in excess of 50 nm. This device uses a uniform grating pitch throughout the structure, and relies on the same fabrication technology as a standard DBR laser . Our initial results show 57 nm of nonthermal tuning at 1.475 mum wit h side-mode suppression ratio (SMSR) > 30 dB over much of the tuning r ange. The observed change in operating wavelength versus mirror curren ts along with below threshold spectra agree with theoretical expectati ons.