Optical microwave generation based on DFB lasers

A new device of two parallel distributed feedback ( DFB) laser integrated monolithically with Y-branch waveguide coupler was fabricated by means of quantum well intermixing. Optical microwave signal was generated in the Y-branch waveguide coupler through frequency beating of the two laser modes coming from two DFB lasers in parallel, which had a small difference in frequency. Continuous rapidly tunable optical microwave signals from 13 GHz to 42 GHz were realized by adjusting independently the driving currents injected into the two DFB lasers.