Comb-laser with 100 GHz channel spacing and up to 2.2 THz Bandwidth

The future of optical data transmission is increasingly reliant on innovative light sources that push the boundaries of data rate, efficiency, and scalability. Frequency comb-lasers operating in the O-band (1260–1360 nm) stand out as a promising technology as they enable multi-channel data transmission, while exploiting minimal chromatic dispersion in optical fibers. Integrated photonics platforms, especially in silicon photonics, benefit from widely spaced comb lines to simplify optical filtering, modulation, and detection. This enhances the feasibility of chip-scale frequency comb sources for high-speed interconnects.

To meet this demand, Innolume has developed a new quantum-dot (QD) based comb-laser chip that generates up to 23 channels equally spaced lines with a free spectral range (FSR) of 100 GHz. By that it covers a total bandwidth of 2.2 THz. The device shows a power-conversion efficiency of more than 20% and a low relative intensity noise (RIN) of around -130 dB/Hz for individual channels. A saturable absorber section enhances the phase locking of the modes and enables the doubling of the comb lines. In contrast to conventional mode-locked lasers our QD comb lasers operate in the continuous wave regime.

The 100GHz Comb Laser is now available for purchase.