Packaged high gain unidirectional 1300 nm MQW laser amplifiers

Compact high-gain high-performance packaged 1300 nm multiple quantum well (MQW) semiconductor laser amplifiers are described with a strong emphasis on packaging issues. We report two different compact, field deployable semiconductor laser amplifier modules, both intended for use in high bitrate digital transmission. The first one is a high gain nearly polarization insensitive module, intended for in-line and preamplifier applications. The second one is a high output power booster amplifier intended for use immediately following a transmitter laser. For maximum compatibility with existing high bitrate digital transmission systems and to prevent deterioriation of the amplifier performance, optical isolators are used on the input side as well as on the output side of the amplifier module.