Ciena Corporation
Monolithically Integrated Gain Element

Abstract:

A photonic integrated circuit including a photonic device and a gain element, said gain element formed by a process including: depositing by epitaxy a first doped layer onto a substrate; depositing by epitaxy an active layer capable of optical gain onto the first doped layer; depositing by epitaxy a second doped layer onto the active layer; pattern etching at least the second doped layer and the active layer to form a first ridge; and depositing by epitaxy a current blocking layer laterally adjacent to the first ridge at least partially filling the volume of active layer that was removed by the pattern etching; wherein the current blocking layer forms a portion of the photonic device.