High-power multi-mode laser to single-mode pump conversion

A novel pump-sharing module for multi-channel amplifiers based on integration of high-power multimode semiconductor lasers and planar waveguide circuits is proposed. The feedback-free modules are designed for optimum coupling, throughput and power uniformity on silicon using BPM method and fabricated via the sol–gel process of photo patternable precursors. Modal properties of the multimode lasers are considered by studying spectrum and spatial distribution of laser output power at different temperatures. Employing an 1500 mW 980 nm multimode laser (TE polarized), via lens and Butt coupling up to 1250 mW of laser output is coupled into the multimode channel waveguides, which are tapered and branched to four single mode waveguides. The measured pump power from splitter outputs, randomly polarized, exceeds 600 mW. At constant temperatures ranging from 22 °C to 30 °C, the pump-sharing modules exhibit good stability with a power uniformity of <0.5 dB over hours.