US 12,278,461 B1
System and methods for stable, fast, wide-tuning range hybrid lasers
Jason R. Ensher, Lafayette, CO (US)
Assigned to Insight Photonic Solutions, Inc, Lafayette, CO (US)
Filed by Insight Photonic Solutions, Inc., Lafayette, CO (US)
Filed on Feb. 21, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/676,418.
Int. Cl. H01S 5/0687 (2006.01); G02F 1/21 (2006.01); H01S 5/10 (2021.01); H01S 5/323 (2006.01)
CPC H01S 5/0687 (2013.01) [G02F 1/212 (2021.01); H01S 5/1028 (2013.01); H01S 5/1042 (2013.01); H01S 5/1071 (2013.01); H01S 5/323 (2013.01)] 27 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A hybrid laser comprising:
a gain region made from group III-V semiconductor materials and configured to generate an amplified lightwave;
a silicon based photonic integrated circuit (PIC) optically coupled to the gain region to receive the amplified lightwave, and including:
a micro-ring resonator (MRR) including a static ring resonator and a tuned ring resonator, wherein the MRR is:
positioned to receive the amplified lightwave; and
configured to generate and emit a tuned lightwave having a different wavelength range than the amplified lightwave by altering a wavelength range of the amplified lightwave; and
a tuning structure coupled to the tuned ring resonator and configured to alter the wavelength range of the tuned lightwave through changing a repeat mode spacing of the MRR by affecting a free spectral range (FSR) of the tuned ring resonator via altering an index of refraction of the tuned ring resonator, wherein the tuning structure alters the index of refraction of the tuned ring resonator;
a photodetector configured to detect a wavelength and power of the tuned lightwave; and
circuitry configured to control the wavelength range of the tuned lightwave by modulating the altering of the index of refraction by the tuning structure based on the detected wavelength and the detected power of the tuned wavelength.