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arXiv · 2512.09740

Mode Control and Dynamic Population Gratings in Quantum-Dot Lasers

Xiangpeng Ou·Artem Prokoshin·Hongyan Yu·Xin Yao·Ying Shi·William He·Zhican Zhou·Yating Wan
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Abstract

Single-mode operation is essential for integrated semiconductor lasers, yet most solutions rely on regrowth, etched gratings, or other complex fabrication steps that limit scalability. We show that quantum-dot (QD) lasers can achieve stable single-mode lasing through a simple cavity design using dynamic population gratings (DPGs). Owing to the low lateral carrier diffusion of QDs, a strong standing-wave-induced carrier grating forms in a reverse-biased saturable absorber and provides self-aligned, mode-selective feedback not attainable in quantum-well devices. A single-ring laser achieves 46 dB side-mode suppression ratio (SMSR), while a dual-ring Vernier laser delivers ($>$ 46 nm) tuning range and up to 52.6 dB SMSR, with continuous-wave operation up to $80\,^{\circ}\mathrm{C}$. The laser remains single-mode under $-10.6$ dB external optical feedback and supports isolator-free data transmission at 32 Gbps. These results establish DPG-enabled QD lasers as a simple and scalable route to tunable, feedback-resilient on-chip light sources for communication, sensing, and reconfigurable photonic systems.

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Xiangpeng Ou, Artem Prokoshin, Hongyan Yu, Xin Yao, Ying Shi, William He, Zhican Zhou, Yating Wan. 2025-12-10. Mode Control and Dynamic Population Gratings in Quantum-Dot Lasers. https://arxiv.org/abs/2512.09740

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