Dual-polarization VCSEL-based optical frequency comb generation

Abstract

Optical Frequency Comb Generators (OFCG) based on Cost of the Shelf (COTS) laser diodes (LDs) are interesting systems for many applications as they offer compactness and cost efficiency. However, the optical frequency span and the coherence of the modes is still a limiting factor when comparing to combs based on other laser technologies. Among LDs, Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers (VCSELs) under Gain Switching (GS) regime [1] produce record combs in terms of energy efficiency and mode coherence. GS is a well-known nonlinear technique to directly generate OFCGs from LDs.