Optical device with integrated semi-conductor laser source and integrated optical isolator

US7567604B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• ALCATEL · FR

Inventors

• Alain Accard · Palaiseau, FR
• Beatrice Dagens · Antony, FR

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 10, 2006
• Grant date: Jul 28, 2009
• Expiry date: Jul 10, 2026

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H01S5/0064
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The field of the invention is that of optical devices comprising an integrated semi-conductor laser and an integrated optical isolator. These devices are used mainly in the field of digital telecommunications. More particularly, the invention applies to so-called absorption isolators whose complex index is non-reciprocal and depends on the direction of propagation of the light. Generally, integrated optical isolators of this type fulfill two functions. On the one hand, they comprise a magneto-optical layer ensuring the non-reciprocal effect and on the other hand an active zone ensuring the amplification of the laser beam, the injection of the charge carriers into the active zone being ensured by an electrical contact layer. The invention proposes, so as to limit the disturbing effects of the contact layer on the propagation of the laser beam, that the contact layer be eliminated above the active zone and that the injection of the charge carriers be ensured via the lateral faces and the edges of the upper face of the active zone.