The MAGIC Laser: a Monolithic WDM Source

We discuss the Multi-stripe Array Grating Integrated Cavity (MAGIC) Laser: a multi-wavelength laser formed by monolithically integrating a diffraction grating and an array of active stripes in a planar semiconductor waveguide cavity. Recent results will be presented. Introduction There is currently considerable interest in the telecommunications arid computing industries at developing networks that use many different wavelengths. Not only for increasing the capacity of point-to-point links, but also for broadcast systems and, most interestingly, in multi-wavelength optical networks where wavelength is effectively used as an effective extra "dimension". Whatever the ultimate network envisaged, multi-wavelength systems will only become widely deployed if sources and wavelength-demultiplexing detectors can be developed that have precise factory-defined wavelengths and high field-reliability, and can also be: manufactured at low cost. This talk discusses a new type of multi-wavelength source the MAGIC, or Multi-stripe Array Grating Integrated Cavity Laser that we believe has the potential to fiilfill these criteria. The MAGIC Laser The device structure is illustrated schematically in Figure 1. It is based on a planar WAnGaAsPAnP waveguide. At one end a number of active laser stripes have been integrated, and at the other a fbcussing vertical-walled diffraction grating has beem etched through the guide layers [ 11. If one stripe is injection pumped, the spontaneous radiation emitted into the planar waveguide at one end is reflected at one wavelength by the grating and lasing occurs at the wavelength. different stripes cause lasing at different wavelengths. The integratedl laser is acting in a similar fashion to a conventional extemal cavity laser, with the bulk optic 1e:ns and grating of the latter replaced by the etched grating.