Silicon-Photonic Laser Emitting Tunable Dual Wavelengths With Highly Correlated Phase Noise

A silicon-photonic tunable laser emitting two tunable wavelengths simultaneously is demonstrated. The laser consists of a single semiconductor optical amplifier that provides shared gain and a silicon-photonic chip that provides wavelength selections. A total optical power of 29.3 mW is shown, with 300 mA of gain current at 40 degrees C. Continuous tuning of frequency spacing from 69.5 GHz to 114.1 GHz is demonstrated. The two simultaneous laser channels show highly correlated phase noise, with a phase noise correlation coefficient of 90.7%. (C) 2020 Optical Society of America