Wavelength tunable ultrashort pulse generation from a passively mode-locked asymmetric-quantum-well semiconductor laser

Optical pulses are generated from a passively mode-locked dual asymmetric-quantum-well semiconductor laser mounted in a linear external cavity. The devices are fabricated with two sections, one of which contains a bend in the waveguide for external cavity coupling. Pulses 2.0–3.9 ps in duration have been generated, which are tunable over 61 nm, from 954 to 1015 nm. Pulse compression yields durations as short as 470 fs with peak powers as high as 1.5 W.