arXiv subjects

Robbe de Mey

Publications and source records attributed to Robbe de Mey.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

Agile laser wavelength tuning using dynamic targeting

Tunable lasers are essential and versatile tools in photonics, with applications spanning telecommunications, spectroscopy, and sensing. Advancements have aimed to expand tuning ranges, suppress mode hopping, and enable photonic integration. In this work, we explore the adaptation of dynamic targeting, a technique originally developed to stabilize lasers under optical feedback, as a method for achieving agile, fast, and continuous wavelength tuning. By adjusting the feedback rate and phase, we enable a stable and controlled frequency shift. We experimentally demonstrate reliable and reproducible tuning over 2.1 GHz using a free-space optical setup. Simulations further suggest that this approach could extend the tuning range to tens of GHz, with a potential scan speed exceeding $10^{17}$ Hz/s. These results highlight dynamic targeting as a promising route toward agile frequency control in semiconductor lasers.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2023

Influence of Feedback Phase on Time Delay Signature and Chaos Bandwidth in a Laser subject to Dual Optical Feedback

Semiconductor lasers subject to optical feedback can behave chaotically, which can be used as a source of randomness. The optical feedback, provided by mirrors at a distance, determines the characteristics of the chaos and thus the quality of the randomness. However, this fixed distance also shows itself in the intensity, an unwanted feature called the Time Delay Signature (TDS). One promising solution to suppress the TDS is using double optical feedback. We study this system numerically in this paper. In particular, we focus on the impact of the feedback phase, a sub-wavelength change in the position of the mirrors, on the TDS and chaos bandwidth (CBW) of the system. We show that by precisely setting the feedback parameters, including the feedback phases, the TDS can be suppressed, and that the feedback phase control is necessary rather than optional to robustly suppress the TDS. In addition, it is possible to suppress the TDS without loss of the CBW. At strong feedback rates the system can restabilize, and one can switch between a chaotic and steady state by changing only the feedback phase. Finally, we relate the feedback phase sensitivity to interference between the two delayed signals. This system is promising for applications of chaotic lasers as one can either suppress the TDS or increase the CBW.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2023

Clarifying the impact of dual optical feedback on semiconductor lasers through analysis of the effective feedback phase

Time-delayed optical feedback is known to trigger a wide variety of complex dynamical behavior in semiconductor lasers. Adding a second optical feedback loop is naturally expected to further increase the complexity of the system and its dynamics, but due to interference between the two feedback arms it was also quickly identified as a way to improve the laser stability. While these two aspects have already been investigated, the influence of the feedback phases, i.e. sub-wavelength changes in the mirror positions, on the laser behavior still remains to be thoroughly studied, despite indications that this parameter could have a significant impact. Here, we analyze the effect of the feedback phase on the laser stability in a dual-feedback configuration. We show an increased sensitivity of the laser system to feedback phase changes when two feedback loops are present, and clarify the interplay between the frequency shift induced by the feedback and the interferometric effect between the two feedback arms.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2022

Chaotic time-delay signature suppression in lasers using phase-controlled dual optical feedback

We experimentally study a semiconductor laser subject to two optical feedbacks in a free space setup. We show that the time delay signature, manifesting itself in the chaotic output intensity, can be better suppressed than in a laser with single feedback. We demonstrate that the control of the feedback phase is essential to suppress the time delay signature, in contrast to the one-delay case, and that the feedback phase also impacts the chaotic bandwidth. By optimizing the feedback phase the time delay signature can be reduced by a factor of 2 while maintaining a large chaotic bandwidth.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2019

Dual-wavelength lasers on generic foundry platform

We propose and implement four simple and compact dual-wavelength laser concepts integrated in a Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC) based on a InP generic foundry platform. In a first step, we arrange two detuned Distributed-Bragg-Reflectors (DBR) in either a sequential or in a parallel order, acting as narrowband wavelength selective cavity mirrors. In a second step, we close the cavities by using either a third DBR or by using a Multimode-Interference-Reflector (MIR). We present LI-characteristics and optical spectra emitting around 1550~nm with wavelength separations of 1~nm or 10~nm and evaluate their particular potential for simultaneous dual-wavelength emission. In addition, we find either one or multiple equal power points as well as complete switches when the gain current is being tuned. We discuss the characteristics and limitations of each concept including arranging the detuned DBRs in a sequential or parallel order.

physics.app-ph↗