Distributed‐feedback dye laser integrated with a channel waveguide formed on silicon

Successful operation of an integrated optical distributed‐feedback (DFB) dye laser in which generated light is confined in a V‐groove optical channel waveguide is reported. Both the channel waveguide and second‐order diffraction grating for DFB operation are formed by anisotropic‐etching the silicon substrate. Polyurethane doped with rhodamine 110 dye is used for the laser waveguide region, while undoped polyurethane is used for channel waveguides. Use of an argon laser for pumping yields continuous output at λ=6430 A characterized by a very low threshold and a spectral width less than 2 A. The output wavelength is consistent with the grating period of 4150 A.

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