High-power picosecond laser diodes based on different methods of fast gain control for high-precision radar applications

Sergey Vainshtein; Juha Kostamovaara; Vladimir Lantratov; Nikolay Kaluzhniy; Sergey Mintairov

doi:10.1117/12.720830

12 June 2007 High-power picosecond laser diodes based on different methods of fast gain control for high-precision radar applications

Sergey Vainshtein, Juha Kostamovaara, Vladimir Lantratov, Nikolay Kaluzhniy, Sergey Mintairov

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 6593, Photonic Materials, Devices, and Applications II; 65930B (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.720830
Event: Microtechnologies for the New Millennium, 2007, Maspalomas, Gran Canaria, Spain

Abstract

Current-pumped picosecond-range laser diodes with a peak power significantly exceeding that achievable from gainswitched lasers are of major interest for a large variety of commercial applications. A group of phenomena have been explored in which the peak transient gain is efficiently controlled by a fast reduction in the pumping current. Common to all these phenomena is the fact that the peak powers of the emitted picosecond optical pulses (15-100 ps) exceed that obtainable from gain-switched laser diodes by at least an order of magnitude, although the physical reasons for the high gain and the design principles of the semiconductor structures are different. The main problem in the realization of these picosecond modes in low-cost practical systems is the high sensitivity of the operation regime to structural and circuit parameters. A related problem is the questionable reproducibility of the fabrication processes used so far. Proper development of reliable high-power picosecond transmitters will require the use of more advanced fabrication methods and further study of the effect of structural parameters on the properties of the picosecond lasing mode. In this paper we report on a record value for the power density of the picosecond lasing (50W / 30ps) obtained from a laser diode chip of width 20 &mgr;m and give a qualitative interpretation of the operating mode. Use of the MOCVD process for diode fabrication should allow reproducible technology for picosecond laser diodes to be developed.

Citation Download Citation

Sergey Vainshtein, Juha Kostamovaara, Vladimir Lantratov, Nikolay Kaluzhniy, and Sergey Mintairov "High-power picosecond laser diodes based on different methods of fast gain control for high-precision radar applications", Proc. SPIE 6593, Photonic Materials, Devices, and Applications II, 65930B (12 June 2007); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.720830

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available