Abstract

Semiconductor laser traveling wave amplifiers (TWAs) are important elemente in high bit-rate photonic switching, optical interconnect, and multichannel communications applications. The utility of TWAs is due to their large bandwidth and high saturation output powers. High performance TWAs require very low reflectivities to reduce gain ripple under high gain operation and to prevent oscillation in one or more of the longitudinal modes of the Fabry-Perot cavity. Low reflectivities can he achieved with precise anti-reflection coatings by tilting the waveguide with respect to the facets or by combining an angle-facet design with anti-reflection coatings. Unlike AR-coated TWAs, angle facet designs offer the benefit of low broadband reflectivity.

© 1993 Optical Society of America