LioniX International (LXI; Enschede, Netherlands) announced that it set a new record on-chip optical power for hybrid integrated lasers. By combining two platforms, low-loss silicon nitride (SiN)-based TriPleX waveguide technology and active indium phosphide (InP) components, LioniX created a narrow-linewidth tunable laser; recent improvements to the technology resulted in a record-high on-chip optical power of 20.7 dBm (117 mW), while keeping tunability over a range of almost 120 nm and showing a side-mode suppression ratio (SMSR) of greater than 50 dB.
The high output power of this laser and its low relative intensity noise (RIN) are ideal to achieve an efficient link gain in an analog photonic link, while simultaneously having a low noise figure.
To create the laser, a gain-section InP photonic integrated circuit (PIC) is attached to a tunable reflector PIC, creating a hybrid external-cavity laser. The gain section creates the first mirror as well as the gain, while the SiN-based TriPleX PIC acts as the tunable wavelength-dependent mirror.
For more info, see https://photonics.lionix-international.com/tunable-laser/?utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=79031313&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-97Ui8ArKm4k41dxwckGJyGT7XnNv7G8J1ftC7OnBAGaS75jjHd2oGEazTNu_izPEq8SHpbDn2LcZ6JMfUjjRB7KruXBQ&_hsmi=79031313 and https://photonics.lionix-international.com/triplex-waveguide-technology/