MULTICHANNEL GRATING CAVITY (MGC) LASER TRANSMITTER FOR WAVELENGTH DIVISION MULTIPLEXING APPLICATIONS

A detailed experimental investigation of a wavelength switchable multichannel grating cavity (MGC) laser is reported with properties particularly suitable for applications in broadband wavelength division multiplexing systems. The source consists of a bar of laser ridges with one facet antireflection (AR) coated, a collimating lens and a diffraction grating. By changing the electrical bias to individual laser ridges, precise. wavelength switching is achieved across the complete gain spectrum of the diode laser material. A detailed investigation of multiple simultaneous channel generation is reported and a method is outlined to overcome channel crosstalk. Good agreement between theory and experiment is reported.