| 摘要 |
<p>Modulation-induced thermal crosstalk between the independently addressable lasers of a monolithic multilaser array is reduced or eliminated by forming each laser with two optically coupled active regions, an amplifier region (56) and a modulator region (60). Modulation of the laser output is achieved by varying the internal optical loss of the modulator region, known as Q-switching. In one form, control of this loss is achieved by varying (58) the reverse bias voltage (Vc) applied to the modulation region. In another form, control of this loss is achieved by selectively connecting and disconnecting regions of p-type and n-type material in the modulator region together. In a third form, control of this loss is achieved by selectively connecting and disconnecting (64) the modulator region to ground potential. In a fourth form, control of this loss is achieved by increasing the amplifier current to allow lasing and simultaneously offset any thermal effects produced by the increased optical power emitted. Q-switched operation of laser results in a cooling of the laser during operation. Increasing the bias applied to the amplifier region results in heating of the laser during operation. Parameters for Q-switching and biasing the amplifier region are selected such that cooling of the laser attributed to Q-switched operation is approximately equally offset by heating attributed to increasing the bias applied to the amplifier region. <IMAGE></p> |
