Short-cavity distributed Bragg reflector laser with an integrated tapered output waveguide

Abstract
A distributed Bragg reflector strained-layer multiple-quantum-well laser at 1.5- mu m wavelength with an integrated tapered waveguide beam expander is discussed. The far-field FWHMs in the lateral and vertical directions are 10 and 15 degrees , respectively. A quantum efficiency of 17% out the tapered facet was measured with a corresponding threshold current of 28 mA. The alignment tolerances for coupling into a cleaved single-mode fiber are 9.5 and 7.5 mu m FWHM in the lateral and vertical directions, respectively. A 3-dB improvement for single-mode fiber coupling using a SELFOC lens was obtained.