Simple approaches of wavelength registration for monolithically integrated DWDM laser arrays

A simple approach is proposed to allocate the wavelengths of monolithically integrated sampled grating distributed Bragg reflector (SGDBR) laser arrays for applications in dense wavelength-division-multiplexing (DWDM) systems. The lasers in an array are thermally controlled altogether and each laser is operated with two electrodes. Arrays of accurate wavelengths can be realized by fine adjusting the bias current and phase current of each laser to output a uniform wavelength comb, and then varying the heat sink temperature to align all channels to the desired wavelength grid. Such procedures can provide arrays of high sidemode suppression ratio (SMSR) and no mode hopping over a wide range of operation condition. We demonstrated 50-GHz spaced arrays of accurate and stable wavelengths.