Ultrashort pulse generation in a semiconductor laser with strong coherent optical feedback

In this study, the authors propose a novel technique for generating ultrashort pulses using a semiconductor laser subject to strong optical feedback from short external cavities. The influence of three system parameters, viz. the external cavity length, the injection current and the feedback strength on the characteristics of the ultrashort pulses is numerically investigated. The results show that the pulse width decreases and the pulse peak increases with increase of any of these three parameters. The repetition frequency of the ultrashort pulses decreases with increase of the feedback strength but increases with increase of the injection current. Based on these results, ultrashort pulses with a pulse width of 3.6 ps and a repetition frequency of 2.3 GHz have been achieved when the injection current is four times the threshold current. The pulse width can be further decreased and the repetition frequency can be further increased by appropriately adjusting the external cavity length and feedback strength. The results presented in this study open up a new route for designing ultrashort pulse generators for incorporation in future photonic integrated optical circuits.