Multiwavelength actively mode-locked external cavity semiconductor laser

A multiwavelength mode-locked (MWML) angled-stripe SOA laser that emits multiple discrete groups of wavelengths simultaneously in a short time interval, where each group is located at a wavelength suitable to wavelength division multiplexed optical transmission. Feedback and/or feedthrough optics are combined with a angled-stripe SOA to provide different laser embodiments. The actively mode locked MWML laser emits individual spectral components at a plurality of wavelengths simultaneously. The optics are coupled to one or more angled-stripe SOA ports in reflective or optical ring resonator configurations to provide simultaneous feedback at the plurality of wavelengths and to provide substantially identical round-trip travel times and net gains within the lasing cavity for pulses at each of the plurality of wavelengths. A MWML laser so formed is particularly useful as a multiwavelength source for optical signal processing and transmission systems and can be placed in a hermetically sealed package.