EFFECT verifies fully integrated tunable laser PIC
InP-based PIC will become cornerstone of tiny tunable laser assembly for coherent applications
Eindhoven-based EFFECT Photonics has announced the verification of a fully integrated tunable laser InP-based PIC, a key part of its digital Pico Integrated Tunable Laser Assembly (pITLA).
Tunable lasers are a core component of coherent optical systems enabling Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM). With this milestone, the tunable laser InP-based PIC has successfully passed a series of tests showing required performance items outlined by IEEE Std. 802.3-2022, 100GBASE-ZR.
Unlike tunable laser assemblies currently available, the core of EFFECT Photonics digital pITLA is implemented fully as a monolithic integrated InP PIC. This enables advantages such as the ability to achieve a compact footprint, higher assembly yields, and ease of integration into pluggable form factors.
The InP PIC is said to be the only solution to integrate the gain section, laser cavity, optical amplifier, and wavelength locker into one chip. By incorporating these functions on a single chip and including the control functions in the assembly, the user can easily communicate and control the laser by simply providing digital commands.
“In the last decade, the industry has made impressive strides in reducing the size of crucial coherent optical functions, making way for digital coherent modules. EFFECT Photonics pITLA sets a new precedent in photonic integration by eliminating the need for external micro-optics for control of tunable lasers,” said Roberto Marcoccia, CEO of EFFECT Photonics. “Our monolithic approach maintains all vital functions while drastically reducing the device’s overall size to a smaller form factor previously unattainable.”
