Patent Description:
In the field of optical communications, a tunable laser (Tunable Laser, TL) is a laser that can adjust, within a specific range, a wavelength of an optical signal output by the tunable laser, and is mainly applied to a large-capacity wavelength division multiplexing transmission system. As an information amount explosively grows, a communications market expands continuously and quickly. To further increase bandwidth, a coherent modulation technology is used and becomes a mainstream solution for long-distance optical transmission at a rate of <NUM> and higher in the industry. However, the coherent modulation technology poses a stringent requirement on laser performance, for example, a lasing linewidth, and requirements on counters of the tunable laser, for example, a size, costs, reliability, and performance, are also higher because of various new demands. Featuring advantages such as a small volume and a high integration level, a monolithically integrated tunable laser becomes a mainstream technology in the current field of optical communications.

The monolithically integrated tunable laser may be produced on the whole after a gain region abuts a passive region on an indium phosphide (Indium Phosphide, InP) substrate. The gain region is usually a multiple quantum well (Multiple Quantum Well, MQW), and the passive region mainly includes a reflector and a phase section. Wavelength tuning is implemented by adjusting a refractive index of the reflector or a refractive index of the phase section. A reflection spectrum of the reflector is wavelength-selective. A commonly used reflector includes a distributed Bragg reflector (Distributed Bragg Reflector, DBR) or a microring resonator. The reflection spectrum of the reflector is usually a comb reflection spectrum.

A super structure grating (Super Structure Grating, SSG) has a comb reflection spectrum, a reflector region of the tunable laser may reflect light by using the SSG, and distribution of refractive indices of the SSG is shown in the following formula (<NUM>): <MAT>.

In the formula (<NUM>), when the SSG has an even quantity of reflection peaks, a value of n(z) is <MAT>; or when the SSG has an odd quantity of reflection peaks, a value of n(z) is <MAT>. ΔF, Λk, and Λk + <NUM> meet the following formula (<NUM>): <MAT> where
n<NUM> is an average effective refractive index of the SSG, Λk determines a period of a cosine function, δn is a difference between a maximum value and a minimum value of an effective refractive index of the grating, N represents that a modulation function includes N cosine functions, z represents a location of the grating in a propagation direction, ϕk is a phase of a kth cosine function, and ΔF is determined based on the formula (<NUM>).

A modulation function of the super structure grating may be the following formula (<NUM>) based on the formula (<NUM>): <MAT>.

A reflection spectrum of a section of uniform grating has only one main peak, and the super structure grating may modulate a section of uniform grating by using the modulation function, to generate a comb reflection spectrum. An effective refractive index of the uniform grating has only two values: a high refractive index nh and a low refractive index n<NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, a dashed line represents a modulation function of an SSG, and the modulation function of the SSG is an analog continuous periodic function. After the modulation function is multiplied by the uniform grating, spatial distribution of refractive indices is also continuous, and the refractive index has another value in addition to the two values: nh and n<NUM>, and therefore the SSG is very difficult to produce. As shown in a formula (<NUM>), a threshold may be usually selected to perform two-level digital discretization processing on the continuous function shown in the formula (<NUM>), so that the SSG can be easily produced.

A solid line in <FIG> shows an effect obtained by performing two-level digital discretization on the modulation function of the super structure grating by using a threshold V<NUM>. Modulation performed on a continuous grating by using an envelope function obtained after discretization is also periodic. However, the refractive index still has only the two values: nh and n<NUM>, and a phase shift is introduced only when the envelope function switches between "<NUM>" and "-<NUM>". Therefore, the SSG is easy to produce through processing.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of a relationship between a total SSG length and each of a reflectivity and a full width half maximum (Full Width Half Maximum, FWHM) of a reflection peak of an SSG on which two-level discretization is performed. The total SSG length determines the reflectivity and the FWHM of the reflection peak. One total SSG length corresponds to one particular reflectivity and one particular FWHM. In other words, reflectivities of reflection peaks are in a one-to-one correspondence with FWHMs of the reflection peaks. Therefore, for the SSG on which two-level discretization is performed, a relatively desirable FWHM and a relatively desirable reflectivity cannot be obtained because the reflectivity and the FWHM cannot be separately optimized.

To sum up, for the SSG in the prior art, both the reflectivity and the FWHM of the reflection peak of the SSG are determined by the total SSG length, and the reflectivity and the FWHM of the SSG cannot be separately optimized. Therefore, both a relatively desirable FWHM and a relatively desirable reflectivity cannot be obtained.

Prior art is represented by the documents <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>.

The object of the present invention is to provide a method for designing a super structure grating and, as defined in the appended set of claims <NUM>-<NUM>, to separately optimize a reflectivity and an FWHM of a reflection peak of the super structure grating, thereby obtaining both a relatively desirable reflectivity and a relatively desirable FWHM.

In the invention, the modulation function is discretized to obtain the (N+<NUM>) modulation function discrete values. The reflectivity of the reflection peak of the super structure grating is adjusted based on the relationship of the ratio of the length of the optical waveguide corresponding to the at least one of the (N+<NUM>) modulation function discrete values to the total grating length of the super structure grating, and based on the total grating length of the super structure grating. The FWHM of the reflection peak of the super structure grating is adjusted based on the ratio relationship and the total grating length of the super structure grating. In other words, both the reflectivity and the FWHM of the reflection peak of the super structure grating may be adjusted by using two dimensions. The reflectivity of the reflection peak determines a threshold and output power of a tunable laser, the FWHM of the reflection peak determines a mode selection feature of the laser, and a smaller FWHM indicates a larger side mode suppression ratio. The super structure grating provided in this application may separately optimize the reflectivity and the FWHM, so that both a relatively desirable reflectivity and a relatively desirable FWHM can be obtained.

The three modulation function discrete values separately corresponding to the optical waveguide whose refractive index is uniform and the uniform grating may be obtained by performing three-level discretization processing on the super structure grating, and the reflectivity and the FWHM of the reflection peak of the super structure grating are adjusted based on the relationship of the ratio of the length of the optical waveguide whose refractive index is uniform and that corresponds to one of the three modulation function discrete values to the total grating length of the super structure grating, and based on the total grating length of the super structure grating, so that both the reflectivity and the FWHM are optimized.

The reflectivity of the super structure grating may be optimized by controlling a ratio of a length of an optical waveguide corresponding to each modulation function discrete value in the modulation function to the total grating length.

When a sign of the modulation function changes, a phase shift is added between optical waveguides, so that the reflection spectrum of the super structure grating is flatter, and reflection performance of the super structure grating is improved.

In the method according to the invention, a modulation function is discretized to obtain (N+<NUM>) modulation function discrete values. A reflectivity of a reflection peak of the super structure grating is adjusted based on a relationship of a ratio of a length of an optical waveguide corresponding to at least one of the (N+<NUM>) modulation function discrete values to a total grating length of the super structure grating, and based on the total grating length of the super structure grating. An FWHM of the reflection peak of the super structure grating is adjusted based on the ratio relationship and the total grating length of the super structure grating. In other words, both the reflectivity and the FWHM of the reflection peak of the super structure grating may be adjusted by using two dimensions. The reflectivity of the reflection peak determines a threshold and output power of the tunable laser, the FWHM of the reflection peak determines a mode selection feature of the laser, and a smaller FWHM indicates a larger side mode suppression ratio. According to the invention, separately the reflectivity and the FWHM is optimized, so that both a relatively desirable reflectivity and a relatively desirable FWHM can be obtained.

The present invention does not claim a tunable laser as such. However, although not claimed, when the designed super structure grating is used in such a tunable laser, a generation of an optical signal and a phase adjustment to the optical signal may be separately implemented by using the gain region and the phase region in the tunable laser, and the optical signal is transmitted by using the reflection region after fine tuning is performed on the lasing wavelength of the optical signal. The following further technical features with regard to when the super structure grating is used in a tunable laser together with further non-claimed technical features serve further understanding of the design method although they are not claimed as such.

Although not claimed and not part of the present inventive design method, a MMI coupler of the tunable laser is configured to couple, to the phase region, light reflected by the first reflector and the second reflector. A band gap of an active gain region is relatively small, and corresponds to a target output wavelength of the tunable laser. The active gain region is usually a multiple quantum well, and converts electric energy into optical energy when electricity is injected, to provide a gain.

Although not claimed and not part of the present inventive design method, a phase adjustment module is added to a Y branch arm of the first reflector or a Y branch arm of the second reflector, and is configured to match phases of reflection spectra of the two reflectors. In this way, combination can be better performed for the first reflector or the second reflector by using the MMI coupler.

Although not claimed and not part of the present inventive design method, at least one port in the first reflector, the second reflector, and the gain region may be connected to the SOA by using an optical waveguide. The first reflector, the second reflector, and the gain region may be connected to the PD by using an optical waveguide. The tunable laser may separately implement power amplification and power monitoring or power attenuation of the optical signal by using the integrated SOA and the integrated PD.

Although not claimed and not part of the present inventive design method, the reflection region in the tunable laser may perform thermal tuning by using the hollow structure, to improve thermal tuning efficiency of the super structure grating.

Although not claimed and not part of the present inventive design method, to avoid sacrificing performance of a reflection spectrum of the grating during thermal tuning, a region between corrosion windows is a support region of the suspended structure, and the region between the corrosion windows is not aligned with a peak or not aligned with a valley of the modulation function of the super structure grating. Although not claimed and not part of the present inventive design method, two corrosion windows at a leftmost end and at a rightmost end are used to prevent temperature from being excessively low on the two sides.

Although not claimed and not part of the present inventive design method, the reflection region in the tunable laser may perform thermal tuning by using the suspended structure, to improve thermal tuning efficiency of the super structure grating.

The reflector is located in the upper cladding, and is configured to tune a wavelength of the optical signal. Although not claimed and not part of the present inventive design method, the reflector may be located in the lower cladding, or the waveguide layer, or the upper cladding and the waveguide layer, or the lower cladding and the waveguide layer. There are a plurality of specific implementations. This is for description only. The optical signal is propagated in the upper cladding, the lower cladding, and the waveguide layer, and the optical signal can be reflected only when the super structure grating is located at these locations.

Total reflection occurs when the optical signal is propagated in the waveguide layer. In this way, as much photon energy as possible can be confined in the waveguide layer, so that the waveguide layer can provide a low-loss propagation channel for the optical signal, to reduce losses of optical signal propagation.

Embodiments invention provide a super structure grating, to separately optimize a reflectivity and an FWHM of a reflection peak of the super structure grating, thereby obtaining both a relatively desirable reflectivity and a relatively desirable FWHM. However, it should be noted that features and steps which in the description up the "description of embodiments" have been denoted as not claimed and thus not being part of the invention, should also in the description below, when they are again referred to, be understood as not belonging to the invention. In particular, the specific features of the tunable laser itself should not be understood as being part of the invention, even if this is not explicitly stated.

The following describes the embodiments invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the specification, claims, and the accompanying drawings , the terms "first", "second", and the like are intended to distinguish between similar objects but do not necessarily indicate a specific order. It should be understood that the terms used in such a way are interchangeable in proper circumstances, which is merely a discrimination manner that is used when objects having a same attribute are described in the embodiments. Moreover, the terms "include", "contain", and any other variants mean to cover the non-exclusive inclusion, for example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a list of units is not necessarily limited to those units, but may include other units not expressly listed or inherent to such a process, method, product, or device.

Three conditions for generating laser light include implementing a population inversion, meeting a threshold condition, and meeting a resonance condition. A primary condition for generating laser light is the population inversion. In other words, an electron in a valence band is pumped to a conduction band in a semiconductor. To implement the population inversion, a p-n junction is usually formed by using heavily doped p-type and n-type materials. In this case, under an action of an external voltage, a population inversion occurs near the junction, an electron is stored at a high Fermi level, and an electron hole is stored at a low Fermi level. Certainly, there are many other methods for generating a population inversion. Implementing a population inversion is a necessary condition for generating laser light, but is not a sufficient condition. To generate laser light, a resonant cavity having an extremely low loss is also required. Main parts of a conventional resonant cavity are two reflectors that are parallel to each other. Stimulated radiation light is reflected between the two reflectors back and forth, continually causing new stimulated radiation, so that the stimulated radiation light is continually amplified. Enhanced interference can be generated at an output end to output stable laser light only when a gain obtained by amplifying the stimulated radiation is greater than various losses in a laser, in other words, only when a specific threshold condition is met. The resonance condition is: After a length L and a refractive index N of the resonant cavity are determined, only for light at a particular frequency, light oscillation occurs and stable laser light is output. This indicates that the resonant cavity plays a frequency-selective role in the output laser light.

A tunable laser of a monolithically integrated semiconductor is usually produced after a gain region on an indium phosphide (Indium Phosphide, InP) substrate abuts a passive region. <FIG> is a schematic plan view of the tunable laser, and the tunable laser includes a reflection region, a gain region, and a phase adjustment region. The reflection region may include a first reflector and a second reflector. A band gap of the gain region is relatively small. When electricity is injected, the gain region converts electric energy into optical energy, to provide a gain. The passive region structurally mainly includes a reflector. A band gap of the passive region is greater than photon energy of a laser wavelength, and the passive region absorbs less laser light. Therefore, a very low absorption loss can be provided. To cover an entire band C (approximately in a range of <NUM>), a tuning range is usually expanded by using a "vernier effect" of the two reflectors. Because the two reflectors are usually located in front of and behind the gain region, the two reflectors are usually respectively referred to as a front reflector and a rear reflector. The two reflectors may be considered to be equivalent, and names may be interchanged. In addition, the passive region may further include the phase adjustment region. The phase adjustment region is configured to perform fine tuning on an effective optical path in the resonant cavity, so as to change an output wavelength of the laser.

Each of the two reflectors of the tunable laser has a comb reflection spectrum, and the comb reflection spectrum has a plurality of reflection peaks. The reflection peaks may be adjusted. The output wavelength of the laser may be adjusted by adjusting the reflection peaks. In the prior art, a reflectivity and an FWHM of a reflection peak are related only to a total grating length of a super structure grating. As shown in <FIG>, the total grating length of the super structure grating in the prior art determines the reflectivity and the FWHM of the reflection peak. A total grating length of one super structure grating corresponds to one particular reflectivity and one particular FWHM. In other words, reflectivities of reflection peaks are in a one-to-one correspondence with FWHMs of the reflection peaks. Therefore, a relatively desirable FWHM and a relatively desirable reflectivity cannot be obtained because the reflectivity and the FWHM cannot be separately optimized. In the embodiments of the present invention, high-level discretization is performed on a modulation function, so that the reflectivity and the FWHM of the reflection peak can be adjusted by using two dimensions, and the reflectivity and the FWHM can be separately optimized. Therefore, both a relatively desirable reflectivity and a relatively desirable FWHM can be obtained.

An embodiment first provides a super structure grating. The super structure grating spatially performs amplitude and phase modulation on a uniform grating by using a modulation function, to generate a comb reflection spectrum, (N+<NUM>) modulation function discrete values are obtained after discretization processing is performed on the modulation function by using N thresholds, and N is a positive integer greater than or equal to <NUM>.

Each of the (N+<NUM>) modulation function discrete values corresponds to one section of optical waveguide whose refractive index is uniform or corresponds to one section of uniform grating, and the uniform grating is an optical waveguide alternating between a high refractive index and a low refractive index.

A reflectivity of a reflection peak of the super structure grating is adjusted based on a relationship of a ratio of a length of an optical waveguide corresponding to at least one of the (N+<NUM>) modulation function discrete values to a total grating length of the super structure grating, and based on the total grating length of the super structure grating.

An FWHM of the reflection peak of the super structure grating is adjusted based on the ratio relationship and the total grating length of the super structure grating.

The (N+<NUM>) modulation function discrete values are obtained after discretization processing is performed on the modulation function of the super structure grating by using the N thresholds. In other words, the (N+<NUM>) modulation function discrete values may be obtained after N-level discretization processing is performed on the modulation function of the super structure grating. For example, in this embodiment , two thresholds may be selected to perform three-level discretization processing on the modulation function of the super structure grating, to obtain three modulation function discrete values. This is totally different from that, in the prior art, two modulation function discrete values are obtained after only one threshold is selected to perform two-level discretization on the modulation function. Next, an example in which a value of N is <NUM> is used to describe the super structure grating provided in this embodiment.

The super structure grating provided in this may separately optimize the reflectivity and the FWHM of the reflection peak. After three-level discretization is performed, the three modulation function discrete values may be obtained. The following formula is an expression of a modulation function discrete value Profile_D(z): <MAT>.

Threshold<NUM> and Threshold<NUM> are two thresholds. In this embodiment , three modulation function discrete values may be obtained by performing three-level discretization processing on the modulation function Profile( z ) by using the two thresholds. <FIG> is a diagram of an effect obtained after three-level discretization processing is performed on a modulation function of a super structure grating according to an embodiment. A discretized modulation function has three values: <NUM>, <NUM>, and -<NUM>. In this case, after the modulation function acts on the uniform grating, super structure grating parts corresponding to <NUM> and -<NUM> still have only two values: a high refractive index nh and a low refractive index n<NUM>. A super structure grating part corresponding to <NUM> has only the high refractive index nh. For the uniform grating, the high refractive index nh and the low refractive index n<NUM> alternately appear, and reflection occurs in an interface between the high refractive index nh and the low refractive index n<NUM>. <FIG> is a structural diagram of a super structure grating on which three-level discretization processing is performed according to an embodiment. When the modulation function is <NUM> or -<NUM>, for the super structure grating, the high refractive index nh and the low refractive index n<NUM> alternately appear. This case is the same as that of the uniform grating. When the modulation function is <NUM>, the super structure grating has only the high refractive index nh. In this case, effective reflective surfaces are reduced. Therefore, the reflectivity of the reflection peak of the super structure grating may be optimized by controlling the ratio of the modulation function <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, after a profile of the super structure grating is amplified, it can be seen that a shadow part is a low refractive index part, and when the modulation function is equal to <NUM>, the super structure grating has only the high refractive index nh.

For a super structure grating on which three-level discretization is performed, a ratio of <NUM> in a discretized modulation function in a total grating length of the super structure grating may be adjusted, and then a reflectivity and an FWHM of the grating may be adjusted based on both the ratio and the total grating length of the super structure grating. <FIG> is a schematic diagram of a relationship among a reflectivity of a super structure grating on which three-level discretization processing is performed, a total grating length, and a ratio of <NUM> in a modulation function in the total grating length according to an embodiment , and <FIG> is a schematic diagram of a relationship among an FWHM of a super structure grating on which three-level discretization processing is performed, a total grating length, and a ratio of <NUM> in a modulation function in the total grating length according to an embodiment. There are five lines in each of <FIG> and <FIG>, and the lines correspond to super structure gratings having different total grating lengths. "Ratio, of an optical waveguide corresponding to a modulation function <NUM>, in the total grating length" is referred to as "ratio of <NUM> in a modulation function". When the modulation function is <NUM>, the super structure grating has only nh. In this case, effective reflective surfaces are reduced. The reflectivity of the super structure grating may be optimized by controlling the ratio of the length of the optical waveguide corresponding to the modulation function <NUM> to the total grating length. A longer total grating length indicates a larger reflectivity. For the FWHM, a longer total grating length indicates a smaller FWHM, and a larger ratio of the modulation function discrete value <NUM> indicates a smaller FWHM. In this case, each of the reflectivity and the FWHM of the super structure grating is related to the total grating length and the ratio of the modulation function discrete value <NUM>. In this case, the reflectivity and the FWHM of the reflection peak of the super structure grating may be separately optimized by using two dependent variables (the total grating length and the ratio of the modulation function discrete value <NUM>). As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, both the reflectivity and the FWHM of the super structure grating are related to both the total grating length and the ratio of <NUM> in the modulation function. In other words, the reflectivity is related to the total grating length and the ratio of <NUM> in the modulation function, and the FWHM is related to the total grating length and the ratio of <NUM> in the modulation function. Because a relationship of a ratio of a length of an optical waveguide corresponding to a modulation function discrete value to the total grating length is introduced as a degree of design freedom, the reflectivity and the FWHM of the super structure grating may be separately optimized. For example, when the total grating length is <NUM>, and the ratio of "<NUM>" in the modulation function in the total grating length is <NUM>, a super structure grating on which a reflectivity R of a reflection peak is equal to <NUM> and an FWHM is equal to <NUM> may be obtained. When the total grating length of the super structure grating is <NUM>, and the ratio of "<NUM>" in the modulation function in the total grating length is <NUM>, a super structure grating on which R is equal to <NUM> and an FWHM is equal to <NUM> may be obtained.

In an embodiment , when a value of N is <NUM>, three modulation function discrete values are obtained after discretization processing is performed on the modulation function, one of the three modulation function discrete values corresponds to one section of optical waveguide whose refractive index is uniform, and each of the other two of the three modulation function discrete values corresponds to one section of uniform grating. The three modulation function discrete values that separately correspond to the optical waveguide whose refractive index is uniform and the uniform grating may be obtained by performing three-level discretization processing on the super structure grating. The reflectivity and the FWHM of the reflection peak of the super structure grating may be adjusted based on a relationship of a ratio of a length of the optical waveguide whose refractive index is uniform and that corresponds to one of the three modulation function discrete values to the total grating length of the super structure grating, and based on the total grating length of the super structure grating, so that both the reflectivity and the FWHM are optimized. For example, the three modulation function discrete values include a first value, a second value, and a third value. The first value corresponds to a section of uniform grating, the second value corresponds to a section of optical waveguide whose refractive index is uniform, and the third value corresponds to a section of uniform grating. The first value and the third value may be respectively the modulation function discrete values <NUM> and -<NUM> shown in <FIG>, and the second value may be the modulation function discrete value <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

In an embodiment, two of the (N+<NUM>) modulation function discrete values correspond to a same type of uniform grating, and the reflectivity of the super structure grating may be optimized by controlling a ratio of an optical waveguide corresponding to each modulation function discrete value in the modulation function to the total grating length. For example, as shown in <FIG>, an optical waveguide part corresponding to the modulation function discrete value <NUM> has only a high refractive index or a low refractive index, so that a reflective interface in the super structure grating is not formed when a value of the modulation function is the modulation function discrete value <NUM>.

In an embodiment , when signs of adjacent modulation function discrete values are different or one of the adjacent modulation function discrete values is <NUM>, a phase shift is added between optical waveguides respectively corresponding to the adjacent modulation function discrete values. When a sign of the modulation function changes, a phase shift is added between optical waveguides, so that a reflection spectrum of the super structure grating is flatter, and reflection performance of the super structure grating is improved.

It should be noted that, in the foregoing embodiment and accompanying drawings , an example in which three-level discretization processing is performed on the modulation function of the super structure grating when the value of N is <NUM> is used for description. Optionally, four-level discretization processing or higher-level discretization processing may be performed on the modulation function of the super structure grating provided in this embodiment. Four-level or higher-level discretization processing may be performed on the modulation function of the super structure grating by using more thresholds. For example, in an example of the description of performing three-level discretization processing on the super structure grating, the modulation functions <NUM>, -<NUM>, and <NUM> actually correspond to different forms of modulating the uniform grating by the super structure grating. Four-level discretization is used as an example, and the modulation function discrete value may be <NUM>, <NUM>, -<NUM>, or -<NUM>. A specific value of each modulation function discrete value may be configured based on an application scenario, provided that a correspondence between each modulation function discrete value and a modulation form corresponding to each optical waveguide whose refractive index is uniform or each uniform grating is configured. For example, "<NUM>" or "-<NUM>" corresponds to a first type of uniform grating, and <NUM> or -<NUM> corresponds to a second type of uniform grating. When a sign of the modulation function discrete value changes, a phase shift is introduced. For five-level discretization or higher-level discretization, the modulation function discrete value may be <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, -<NUM>, -<NUM>, or the like. For example, "<NUM>" or "-<NUM>" still corresponds to the first type of uniform grating, <NUM> or -<NUM> corresponds to the second type of uniform grating, and <NUM> corresponds to the optical waveguide whose refractive index is uniform. When signs of adjacent modulation function discrete values are different or one of the adjacent modulation function discrete values is <NUM>, a phase shift is introduced.

It can be learned based on the example of the description in the foregoing embodiment that the super structure grating spatially performs amplitude and phase modulation on the uniform grating by using the modulation function, to generate the comb reflection spectrum, the (N+<NUM>) modulation function discrete values are obtained after discretization processing is performed on the modulation function by using the N thresholds, and N is a positive integer greater than or equal to <NUM>. Each of the (N+<NUM>) modulation function discrete values corresponds to one section of optical waveguide whose refractive index is uniform or corresponds to one section of uniform grating, and the uniform grating is an optical waveguide alternating between a high refractive index and a low refractive index. The modulation function is discretized to obtain the (N+<NUM>) modulation function discrete values. The reflectivity of the reflection peak of the super structure grating is adjusted based on the relationship of the ratio of the length of the optical waveguide corresponding to the at least one of the (N+<NUM>) modulation function discrete values to the total grating length of the super structure grating, and based on the total grating length of the super structure grating. The FWHM of the reflection peak of the super structure grating is adjusted based on the ratio relationship and the total grating length of the super structure grating. In other words, both the reflectivity and the FWHM of the reflection peak of the super structure grating may be adjusted by using two dimensions. The reflectivity of the reflection peak determines a threshold and output power of a tunable laser, the FWHM of the reflection peak determines a mode selection feature of the laser, and a smaller FWHM indicates a larger side mode suppression ratio. The super structure grating provided in this embodiment may separately optimize the reflectivity and the FWHM, so that both a relatively desirable reflectivity and a relatively desirable FWHM can be obtained.

The super structure grating design method provided by the invention has been described in the foregoing embodiment. Although not claimed as such and not part of the invention, hereinafter, the use of a super structure grating designed in accordance with the invention as described above in a tunable laser is described. A tunable laser includes a reflection region. The reflection region is configured to tune an optical signal by using the super structure grating in the foregoing embodiment. In other words, an embodiment further provides a tunable laser that is based on the super structure grating described above. In the tunable laser provided in this not claimed embodiment , a modulation function is discretized to obtain (N+<NUM>) modulation function discrete values. A reflectivity of a reflection peak of the super structure grating is adjusted based on a relationship of a ratio of a length of an optical waveguide corresponding to at least one of the (N+<NUM>) modulation function discrete values to a total grating length of the super structure grating, and based on the total grating length of the super structure grating. An FWHM of the reflection peak of the super structure grating is adjusted based on the ratio relationship and the total grating length of the super structure grating. In other words, both the reflectivity and the FWHM of the reflection peak of the super structure grating may be adjusted by using two dimensions. The reflectivity of the reflection peak determines a threshold and output power of the tunable laser, the FWHM of the reflection peak determines a mode selection feature of the laser, and a smaller FWHM indicates a larger side mode suppression ratio. The tunable laser provided in this not claimed embodiment may separately optimize the reflectivity and the FWHM, so that both a relatively desirable reflectivity and a relatively desirable FWHM can be obtained.

In an embodiment , referring to <FIG>, in addition to the reflection region, the tunable laser further includes a gain region and a phase region.

The reflection region includes a first reflector and a second reflector;.

The super structure grating provided in the foregoing not claimed embodiment may be disposed in the first reflector or the second reflector. As shown in <FIG>, a location of the first reflector and a location of the second reflector may be interchanged. For example, the first reflector is a rear reflector, and the second reflector is a front reflector. The generation of the optical signal and the phase adjustment to the optical signal may be separately implemented by using the gain region and the phase region in the tunable laser, and the optical signal is transmitted by using the reflection region after fine tuning is performed on the lasing wavelength of the optical signal.

<FIG> is a principle diagram of a monolithically integrated tunable laser. The monolithically integrated tunable laser includes four sections: a gain region, a first reflector, a second reflector, and a phase region. The gain region is located in an active region. A band gap of the gain region is relatively small. The gain region is usually a multiple quantum well, and converts electric energy into optical energy when electricity is injected, to provide a gain. The first reflector and the second reflector are equivalent, and may be interchanged. A reflection spectrum of the first reflector and a reflection spectrum of the second reflector are wavelength-selective, and the first reflector and the second reflector are used to perform wavelength tuning. The first reflector and the second reflector include the super structure grating described above. A reflection spectrum of a reflector is a comb reflection spectrum. There is a difference between a free spectral range of a comb reflection spectrum of the first reflector and a free spectral range of a comb reflection spectrum of the second reflector. Then the two reflectors expand a tuning range by using a vernier effect. The phase region provides a phase adjustment, so that the laser can perform fine tuning on the lasing wavelength. Light is generated in the gain region, and is reflected by the first reflector and the second reflector to produce resonance and generate laser light. Then the laser light is transmitted through the first reflector and the second reflector, and is emitted. The first reflector, the second reflector, and the phase region are all located in a passive region. A band gap of the passive region is greater than photon energy of a laser wavelength, and the passive region absorbs few photons. The passive region may etch an MQW in the active region by using an etching and regrowth technology, and then produce a compound having a larger band gap through a secondary epitaxy. Both the first reflector and the second reflector may use the super structure grating described in the foregoing embodiment. The reflection spectrum of the first reflector and the reflection spectrum of the second reflector are wavelength-selective, and the first reflector and the second reflector are used to perform wavelength tuning. The phase region, the first reflector, and the second reflector may all change a refractive index of a waveguide through electric injection, by changing thermal injection, or by using another equivalent method, to perform wavelength tuning.

In another not claimed embodiment , referring to <FIG>, the tunable laser further includes a semiconductor optical amplifier (Semiconductor Optical Amplifier, SOA) and a photodetector (Photodetector, PD);.

As shown in <FIG>, a location of the first reflector and a location of the second reflector may be interchanged. Power amplification and power monitoring or power attenuation of the optical signal may be implemented by using the SOA and the PD in the tunable laser. It should be noted that the SOA may be separately integrated at a left end or at a right end of the tunable laser, to perform power amplification, or the PD may be separately integrated at a left end or at a right end of the tunable laser, to perform power monitoring or power attenuation.

In another not claimed embodiment , the tunable laser further includes a first SOA and a second SOA;.

Each of the first reflector and the second reflector in the tunable laser may be connected to one SOA, and power amplification is performed on an optical signal reflected by each reflector, so that an optical signal having higher power can be transmitted.

In a not claimed embodiment , referring to <FIG>, the tunable laser further includes a multimode interference (Multimode Interference, MMI) coupler, a gain region, and a phase region;.

A tunable laser provided in a not claimed embodiment includes a gain region, a phase region, an MMI coupler, a first reflector, and a second reflector. The MMI coupler is a 1x2 coupler, there is one port on one side, the port is connected to the phase region, there are two ports on the other side, and the two ports are respectively connected to the first reflector and the second reflector. The phase region is cascaded to the gain region and the MMI coupler. The MMI coupler is configured to couple, to the phase region, light reflected by the first reflector and the second reflector. A band gap of an active gain region is relatively small, and corresponds to a target output wavelength of the tunable laser. The active gain region is usually a multiple quantum well, and converts electric energy into optical energy when electricity is injected, to provide a gain. The first reflector and the second reflector may be considered to be equivalent, and names may be interchanged. A reflection spectrum of the first reflector and a reflection spectrum of the second reflector are wavelength-selective, and the first reflector and the second reflector are used to perform wavelength tuning. For example, the first reflector and the second reflector include the super structure grating described above. A reflection spectrum of a reflector is a comb reflection spectrum. There is a difference between a free spectral range of a comb reflection spectrum of the first reflector and a free spectral range of a comb reflection spectrum of the second reflector. Laser light reflected by the first reflector and the second reflector to a resonant cavity of the laser are combined by using the MMI coupler, and then a tuning range is expanded by using an additive vernier effect. The phase region provides a phase adjustment, so that the laser can perform fine tuning on a lasing wavelength. The first reflector, the second reflector, and the phase region are all located in a passive region. The phase region, the first reflector, and the second reflector may all change a refractive index of a waveguide through electric injection, by changing thermal injection, or by using another equivalent method, to perform wavelength tuning.

In a not claimed embodiment , referring to <FIG>, relative to the tunable laser shown in <FIG>, the tunable laser further includes a phase adjustment module;.

The phase adjustment module is added to a Y branch arm of the first reflector or a Y branch arm of the second reflector, and is configured to match phases of reflection spectra of the two reflectors. In this way, combination can be better performed for the first reflector or the second reflector by using the MMI coupler. An example in which the phase adjustment module is disposed on the first reflector is used in <FIG> for description.

In a not claimed embodiment , the tunable laser further includes an SOA and a PD;.

At least one port in the first reflector, the second reflector, and the gain region may be connected to the SOA by using an optical waveguide. The first reflector, the second reflector, and the gain region may be connected to the PD by using an optical waveguide. The tunable laser may separately implement power amplification and power monitoring or power attenuation of the optical signal by using the integrated SOA and the integrated PD. For example, if there is a port <NUM> at a left end of the gain region, there is a port <NUM> at a right end of the first reflector, and there is a port <NUM> at a right end of the second reflector, the SOA may be integrated at any one of the three ports to amplify output optical power, or the PD may be integrated at any one of the three ports to perform power monitoring or power attenuation.

In a not claimed embodiment , <FIG> is a top view of a reflector, which has a suspended structure, of a tunable laser according to an embodiment. A region principle of the reflector, which has the suspended structure, of the tunable laser is described in <FIG>, each of P1 to P7 is one grating modulation function period, there are corrosion windows <NUM> to <NUM> on each of a part above an optical waveguide and a part below the optical waveguide, and there is a support region between two adjacent corrosion windows. There is one auxiliary window on each of a left side of a window <NUM> and a right side of a window <NUM>, to prevent temperature of the reflection region from being excessively low at a leftmost end of P1 or at a rightmost end of P7.

<FIG> is a sectional view of a tunable laser along a location <NUM>'-<NUM>' in <FIG> according to a not claimed embodiment. <FIG> is a sectional view of a tunable laser along a location <NUM>'-<NUM>' in <FIG> according to a not claimed embodiment. The reflection region in the tunable laser includes a heating unit, a transport layer, a reflector, an upper barrier layer, a sacrificial layer, a lower barrier layer, and a substrate layer;.

In some embodiments , the reflection region further includes an InP buffer layer. The lower barrier layer is located between the sacrificial layer and the InP buffer layer. The InP buffer layer is located between the lower barrier layer and the substrate layer.

The reflection region in the tunable laser may perform thermal tuning by using the suspended structure, to improve thermal tuning efficiency of the super structure grating. <FIG> is a principle diagram of the reflection region having the suspended structure, and <FIG> and <FIG> are schematic diagrams of a section <NUM>'-<NUM>' and a section <NUM>'-<NUM>' in <FIG>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, in terms of a material structure, the reflection region sequentially includes the substrate layer, the lower barrier layer, the sacrificial layer, the upper barrier layer, the lower cladding, the waveguide layer, the upper cladding, a medium layer, and a heating layer from top to bottom. A super structure grating on which high-level discretization is performed is distributed in an interface between the waveguide layer and the upper cladding, and a part alternating between black and white in <FIG> is a reflector including a super structure grating. The substrate layer is a layer at which a crystal semiconductor needs to grow based on a crystal substrate, and the substrate layer is located below the lower barrier layer. If the InP buffer layer is further disposed in the reflection region, the InP buffer layer is located between the lower cladding and the substrate layer, and is configured to provide an InP material with better crystal quality, to provide a better material basis for another layer of materials. The upper cladding, the waveguide layer, and the lower cladding are located between the medium layer and the InP buffer layer, and are configured to provide a low-loss transmission channel for the optical signal. The medium layer is configured to prevent a current of a heater from leaking to the upper cladding. The heater may generate heat by using the current. The heating layer is configured to change temperature of a reflector region. The heating unit is configured to provide the heat to the reflector. A heating resistor may be used. Temperature of the heating resistor may be changed when the current flows through the heating resistor. Several downward arrows for the heater indicate heat flux directions. The waveguide layer uses an indium gallium arsenide phosphide (Indium Gallium Arsenide Phosphide, InGaAsP) material. There are protection structures on left and right sides of the sacrificial layer in <FIG>, and the protection structures are located on two sides of an upper surface of the lower barrier layer in a direction in which the optical signal is propagated in the waveguide layer.

In a not claimed embodiment , a hollow structure is totally hollow; voids exist between a transport layer part corresponding to the reflector and transport layer materials on two sides, and a suspended structure is formed between the voids and above the hollow structure; and the voids are periodically arranged in a waveguide direction, after extending through the upper cladding, the waveguide layer, the lower cladding, and the upper barrier layer, the voids reach a region in which the hollow structure is located, there is a support structure between the adjacent voids, the support structure is used to provide lateral mechanical support for the suspended structure, and a length period of the support structure in the waveguide direction is not equal to a period of a modulation function of the super structure grating. There are some periodic dashed-line boxes on two sides of an optical waveguide shown in <FIG>. The optical waveguide includes the waveguide layer, an upper cladding, and a lower cladding. Regions in the dashed-line boxes are windows used to etch a sacrificial layer material in a production process. An etching agent is used to separately etch a sacrificial layer material below the reflector by using windows on two sides of the reflector, until a hollow structure region is exposed. The suspended structure shown in <FIG> and <FIG> is formed above the hollow structure and between the regions between the windows on the two sides of the optical waveguide. A region between the left and right protection structures in the sacrificial layer in <FIG> is the hollow structure, and after extending through the upper cladding, the waveguide layer, the lower cladding, and the upper barrier layer, voids reach a region in which the hollow structure is located. In addition, to avoid sacrificing performance of a reflection spectrum of the grating during thermal tuning, a region between corrosion windows is a support region of the suspended structure. The length period, in the waveguide direction, of the support structure providing lateral mechanical support is not equal to the period of the modulation function of the super structure grating, to prevent the reflection spectrum of the super structure grating from being less flat during thermal tuning, and avoid deterioration of performance of the tunable laser.

That the length period of the support structure in the waveguide direction is not equal to the period of the modulation function of the super structure grating may include the following case: The lateral support structure and any particular wave peak or any particular wave valley in the spatial period of the modulation function of the super structure grating are staggered, so that reflection flatness of the super structure grating can be improved. The wave peak in the spatial period of the modulation function is a maximum value in the spatial period of the modulation function, and the wave valley in the spatial period of the modulation function is a minimum value in the spatial period of the modulation function.

It should be noted that there is one auxiliary window on each of a left side of a window <NUM> and a right side of a window <NUM> in <FIG>, to prevent temperature of the reflection region from being excessively low at a leftmost end of P1 or at a rightmost end of P7.

It should be noted that, in this not claimed embodiment , no InP buffer layer may be disposed in the reflection region. In this case, the lower barrier layer is directly located above the substrate layer.

It should be noted that the openings shown in <FIG> are intended to help a person skilled in the art to better understand the embodiments of the present invention, instead of limiting the scope of the embodiments of the present invention. A person skilled in the art may evidently make various equivalent modifications or changes to shapes of the openings based on the provided example in <FIG>. Such modifications or changes also fall within the scope of the embodiments of the present invention.

In another not claimed embodiment , <FIG> is a top view of a bottom support structure included in a tunable laser according to a not claimed embodiment. An etching agent enters through a void to etch the sacrificial layer, to generate a hollow structure. A transport layer part corresponding to the reflector is totally isolated from transport layer materials on two sides to generate voids, after extending through the upper cladding, the waveguide layer, the lower cladding, and the upper barrier layer, the voids reach a region in which the hollow structure is located, and a suspended structure is formed between the voids and above the hollow structure. The sacrificial layer below the suspended structure is not totally corroded, the bottom support structure is retained in the sacrificial layer, and the bottom support structure is used to support the suspended structure. The reflection region in the tunable laser may perform thermal tuning by using the suspended structure, to improve thermal tuning efficiency of the super structure grating. <FIG> is a principle diagram of the reflection region having the suspended structure, and <FIG> is a sectional view of a tunable laser along a location <NUM>-<NUM> in <FIG> according to a not claimed embodiment. It may be learned from a section at the location <NUM>-<NUM> in <FIG> that, an uncorroded region provides the bottom support structure. <FIG> is a sectional view of a tunable laser along a location <NUM>-<NUM> in <FIG> according to a not claimed embodiment. <FIG> is similar to <FIG>. <FIG> is a sectional view of a tunable laser along a location <NUM>-<NUM> in <FIG> according to a not claimed embodiment. The sacrificial layer in the tunable laser is not totally etched, and the bottom support structure is retained, so as to provide bottom support for the hollow structure.

As shown in <FIG>, there are some periodic dashed-line boxes on two sides of an optical waveguide. Regions in the dashed-line boxes are windows used to etch a sacrificial layer material in a production process. An etching agent is used to separately etch a sacrificial layer material below the reflector by using windows on two sides of the reflector, to generate a suspended structure. A difference from the embodiment in <FIG> is that the lateral mechanical support is provided for the suspended structure by using the lateral support structure in <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, the sacrificial layer below the suspended structure in this embodiment is not totally corroded, and therefore some columns are formed. In this embodiment, the columns at the bottom of the suspended structure are used to provide bottom support for the suspended structure.

A length period of the bottom support structure in a waveguide direction is not equal to a period of a modulation function of the super structure grating, to prevent the reflection spectrum of the super structure grating from being less flat during thermal tuning, and avoid deterioration of performance of the tunable laser.

That the length period of the bottom support structure in the waveguide direction is not equal to the period of the modulation function of the super structure grating may specifically include the following case: The bottom support structure and any particular wave peak or any particular wave valley in the spatial period of the modulation function of the super structure grating are staggered, so that reflection flatness of the super structure grating can be improved. The wave peak in the spatial period of the modulation function is a maximum value in the spatial period of the modulation function, and the wave valley in the spatial period of the modulation function is a minimum value in the spatial period of the modulation function.

In a not claimed embodiment , the super structure grating is located in a lower part of the upper cladding in a transport layer part corresponding to the reflector; or.

In <FIG> and <FIG>, the reflector is located in the upper cladding, and is configured to tune a wavelength of the optical signal. Optionally, the reflector may be located in the lower cladding, or the waveguide layer, or the upper cladding and the waveguide layer, or the lower cladding and the waveguide layer. There are a plurality of specific implementations. This is for description only. The optical signal is propagated in the upper cladding, the lower cladding, and the waveguide layer, and the optical signal can be reflected only when the super structure grating is located at these locations.

In n not claimed embodiment , a refractive index of the waveguide layer is greater than a refractive index of the upper cladding and a refractive index of the lower cladding. Therefore, total reflection occurs when the optical signal is propagated in the waveguide layer. In this way, as much photon energy as possible can be confined in the waveguide layer, so that the waveguide layer can provide a low-loss propagation channel for the optical signal, to reduce losses of optical signal propagation.

Claim 1:
A method for designing a super structure grating comprising a comb reflection spectrum, wherein the comb reflection spectrum is generated by spatially performing amplitude and phase modulation on a uniform grating by using a modulation function, (N+<NUM>) modulation function discrete values are obtained after discretization processing is performed on the modulation function by using N thresholds, and N is a positive integer greater than or equal to <NUM>;
each of the (N+<NUM>) modulation function discrete values corresponds to one section of optical waveguide whose refractive index is uniform or corresponds to one section of uniform grating, and the uniform grating is an optical waveguide alternating between a high refractive index and a low refractive index;
a reflectivity of a reflection peak of the super structure grating is adjusted based on a relationship of a ratio of a length of an optical waveguide corresponding to at least one of the (N+<NUM>) modulation function discrete values to a total grating length of the super structure grating, and based on the total grating length of the super structure grating; and
a full width half maximum, FWHM, of the reflection peak of the super structure grating is adjusted based on the ratio relationship and the total grating length of the super structure grating.