Electrooptic polarization modulated injection laser

The paper describes a new class of semiconductor lasers made possible by monolithic optical integration and potentially applicable in optical communications systems. These integrated lasers can function in various operational modes: (1) polarization modulation, (2) frequency modulation, and (3) controlled Q-switching. The devices consist of an optical amplifier taper coupled to a polarization modulator and a polarizer. Equivalent polarization rotation of 40 deg has been observed with only 6 V applied bias change to the modulator section. Furthermore, strong frequency modulation with wavelengths shifts as large as 20 angstroms with bias change of about 1 V has been found.