Ultra-narrow linewidth vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser based on external-cavity weak distributed feedback

Abstract

We demonstrate an ultra-narrow linewidth vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) based on external-cavity weak distributed feedback from Rayleigh backscattering (RBS). A single longitudinal mode VCSEL with the linewidth as narrow as 435 Hz and a contrast of 55 dB are experimentally achieved by RBS fiber with a feedback level of RBS signal of -27.6 dB. By adjusting the thermal resistance of the VCSEL from 4.5 kΩ to 7.0 kΩ, the laser wavelength can be tuned from 1543.324 nm to 1542.06 nm with a linear tuning slope of -0.506 nm/kΩ. In the tuning process, the linewidth fluctuates in the range of 553-419 Hz.