Numerical investigation of a cavity-enhanced dual-κ DFB laser with an identical active layer for single-ended and push-pull modulation
doi: 10.3724/CO.EN-2026-0007
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摘要:
随着大模型和云计算的快速发展,数据中心短距光互连对传输速率提出了更高要求。尽管光子-光子谐振(PPR)效应和失谐加载(DL)效应为提升直接调制激光器(DML)带宽提供了有效途径,但其实现通常面临结构的复杂性与调制响应的平坦性之间的权衡:获得高带宽和较平坦的小信号响应,往往需要对接生长等复杂工艺,而结构较简单的相同有源层(IAL)设计则容易产生起伏较大的小信号调制响应。本文针对这一问题,仿真研究了一种基于IAL结构的双卡帕光栅分布反馈(DFB)激光器。该设计无需对接生长工艺,同时改善小信号调制响应的平坦性,比较了其在单端调制和推挽调制两种方式下的性能。仿真表明,优化后的器件在单端调制下可通过多个PPR峰实现185 GHz的小信号仿真带宽;在推挽调制下可抑制低频滚降并获得94 GHz的小信号仿真带宽。两种调制方式在200 Gbit/s NRZ条件下均可得到清晰的仿真眼图,显示出其在高速调制中的应用潜力。此外,容差分析表明,该结构对典型工艺偏差具有较好的鲁棒性。研究结果表明,所提出的IAL结构的双卡帕光栅DFB激光器有望为未来短距光互连提供一种有前景的设计方案,但其功耗及实际电带宽限制仍有待进一步研究。
Abstract:The exponential growth of large models and cloud computing is driving demand for unprecedented modulation speeds in short-reach data center links. While cavity-enhanced effects such as photon-photon resonance (PPR) and detuned loading (DL) offer a promising pathway, their practical implementation in directly modulated lasers (DMLs) often faces a critical trade-off: achieving a flat, high-bandwidth response typically requires complex fabrication techniques like butt-joint regrowth, whereas simpler identical active layer (IAL) designs suffer from uneven small-signal modulation response. In this work, we numerically investigate a dual-
κ grating distributed feedback (DFB) laser based on an IAL structure that overcomes this trade-off. The design eliminates the need for butt-joint regrowth while effectively flattening the small-signal response. We compare its performance under single-ended and push-pull modulation schemes. The optimized laser exhibits a simulated small-signal modulation bandwidth of 185 GHz with multiple PPR peaks under single-ended modulation, and a simulated small-signal modulation bandwidth of 94 GHz with suppressed low-frequency roll-off under push-pull modulation. Notably, both schemes generate clear eye diagrams at 200 Gbit/s NRZ in simulation, demonstrating their potential for ultra-high-speed operation. Furthermore, tolerance analysis confirms robustness against typical fabrication variations. The proposed IAL-based dual-κ DFB laser therefore appears to be a promising cavity-design approach for future high-speed short-reach optical interconnects. Further work is still needed to address power efficiency and practical electrical bandwidth limitations. -
Table 1. Simulation parameters of dual-κ DFB laser.
Parameter Value Length of modulation section 50 μm Length of high-κ section 100 μm Length of low-κ section 350 μm Reflectivity of front (rear) facet 0 % (28.4%) Width of active region 1.2 μm Thickness of active layer 100 nm Value of grating κ1 30 cm−1 Value of grating κ2 100 cm−1 Internal loss 10 cm−1 Linewidth enhancement factor 4 Optical confinement factor 0.2 Effective index 3.276 Group index 3.658 Differential gain 5.0e-16 cm−1 Transparency carrier density 1.5e18 cm−3 Linear recombination 1.0e8 s−1 Bimolecular recombination coefficient 1.5e-10 cm3/s Auger recombination coefficient 3.5e-29 cm6/s Table 2. Optimized parameters of single-ended modulation laser.
Parameter Value Length of high-κ section 50 μm Value of grating κ2 120 cm−1 Table 3. Optimized parameters of push-pull modulation laser.
Parameter Value Length of low-κ section 200 μm Current of high-κ section 80 mA Modulation regions modulation (rear) and low-κ (front) sections -
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