Wavelength, modal and power stabilization of tunable electro-absorption modulated, distributed Bragg reflector lasers

Optical sources for dense wavelength division multiplexed (DWDM) systems must produce constant wavelength and power output over a system lifetime despite aging-induced changes that affect both wavelength and power. Tunable sources, such as distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) lasers, require additional modal stabilization to prevent aging-induced failure due to mode hopping. We demonstrate a practical scheme for simultaneously stabilizing the wavelength, mode and power of a tunable DBR laser which was then observed to operate stabilized and error-free within a transmitter at 2.5Gb/s over 680km ofnon-dispersion shifted fiber. Feedback is proven robust against sudden and large perturbations. A five-section electro-absorption modulated (EA) DBR laser serves as an electrically tunable source coupled to three closed feedback loops, which independently provide robust modal, wavelength and power stabilization.