Direct Modulation at 56 and 50 Gb/s of 1.3- \mu m InGaAlAs Ridge-Shaped-BH DFB Lasers

Direct modulation at 56 and 50 Gb/s of 1.3-μm InGaAlAs ridge-shaped-buried heterostructure (RS-BH) asymmetric corrugation-pitch-modulation (ACPM) distributed feedback lasers is experimentally demonstrated. The fabricated lasers have a low threshold current (5.6 mA at 85°C), high temperature characteristics (71 K), high slope relaxation frequency (3.2 GHz/mA1/2 at 85°C), and wide bandwidth (22.1 GHz at 85°C). These superior properties enable the lasers to run at 56 Gb/s and 55°C and 50 Gb/s at up to 80°C for backto-back operation with clear eye openings. This is achieved by the combination of a low-leakage RS-BH and an ACPM grating. Moreover, successful transmission of 56and 50-Gb/s modulated signals over a 10-km standard single-mode fiber is achieved. These results confirm the suitability of this type of laser for use as a cost-effective light source in 400 GbE and OTU5 applications.