Narrow linewidth VCSEL based on resonant optical feedback from an on-chip microring add-drop filter

We demonstrate a narrow linewidth vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) by injecting resonant optical feedback into the lasing cavity. A single longitudinal mode VCSEL with a Lorentzian linewidth of 32.6 kHz and a purified optical spectrum is experimentally achieved by an on-chip microring add-drop filter with a quality factor of 1.36 million, where the feedback level is -47.77 dB. The frequency noise spectrum of the VCSEL demonstrates that the thermo-optic effect in the microring resonator can also stabilize the lasing frequency. A VCSEL with narrow linewidth and stable frequency provides a high-performance light source for a single VCSEL or VCSM array-based application. (C) 2021 Optical Society of America

Automated summary

A narrow linewidth vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) with stable frequency was achieved by injecting resonant optical feedback into the lasing cavity, providing a high-performance light source for single VCSEL or VCSM array-based applications. The on-chip microring add-drop filter played a key role in achieving a Lorentzian linewidth of 32.6 kHz and a purified optical spectrum. The frequency noise spectrum of the VCSEL showed that the thermo-optic effect in the microring resonator helped stabilize the lasing frequency.