Simple optical frequency comb generation using a passively mode-locked quantum dot laser

A simple and quasi-tunable optical frequency comb (OFC) generator is proposed and experimentally demonstrated using a C-band passively Fabry-Pérot quantum dot mode-locked laser and a dual-driven LiNbO3 Mach-Zehnder modulator. A 16-nm bandwidth OFC with 81, 58 and 30 comb lines at frequency interval of 23.3 GHz, 35 GHz and 70 GHz respectively is obtained experimentally. Measured average optical signal to noise ratio of 10-dB bandwidth OFCs is 36.3 dB, 38.5 dB and 40.8 dB at frequency interval of 23.3 GHz, 35 GHz and 70 GHz, respectively. Besides, single-sideband phase noise of the 23.3 GHz and 35 GHz frequency comb is −110 dBc/Hz and −102 dBc/Hz at an offset of 1 kHz, respectively. RF linewidth of the 23.3 GHz and 35 GHz OFC is about from 275 Hz to 289 Hz. This is considered a very simple OFC generator with a broadband and seamless spectrum.