A Monolithically Integrated Two-Section Laser for Wideband and Frequency-Tunable Photonic Microwave Generation

A monolithically integrated two-section laser is presented for wideband and frequency-tunable photonic microwave generation. The laser consists of two back-to-back DFB sections forming a mutually coupled structure. By properly adjusting the bias currents of two sections, the laser can stably work at the state of period-one oscillation over a wide range of frequency detuning. Based on this, continuous and linear tuning of photonic microwave signals can be achieved. Experimental results confirm that a large tunable range from 12.45 to 80.30 GHz can be realized using this laser.