Photonic integrated multiwavelength laser arrays: Recent progress and perspectives

With the significant technology advancement in photonic integration and the demands of compact light sources of multiple wavelengths, multiwavelength laser arrays (MWLAs) can play important roles in high-capacity optical signal transmission, photonic switching, and optical sensing. Manufacturing with semiconductor foundries and the integration with electronic integrated circuits bring not only advanced technologies but also new concepts for realizing MWLAs. This paper will first overview the existing technology development and then discuss the challenges and possible solutions for enabling photonic-integrated MWLAs. The overview will cover monolithically and hybrid-integrated MWLAs. The wavelength registration for both in-plane and vertical-cavity MWLAs will be discussed and compared.