We demonstrate a 1.55-mu m wavelength, InGaAsP-InP, twin-waveguide (TG) las
er integrated with passive ridge waveguides using low-loss taper couplers.
The lateral taper on the laser waveguide induces efficient resonant couplin
g of light between the active and passive layers. The device is fabricated
using low-cost conventional photolithography and reactive ion etching of a
TG structure grown by gas-source molecular beam epitaxy, This structure is
suitable for integrating a variety of photonic devices without requiring ep
itaxial regrowth.