Locking range of a hybrid mode-locked monolithic DBR semiconductor laser at millimeter-wave frequencies

We present the first investigation of the detuning characteristics at 33 GHz of a hybrid mode-locked monolithic distributed Bragg reflector semiconductor laser. Hybrid modelocking is achieved by applying a radio-frequency (RF) signal, at a frequency corresponding to the fundamental laser repetition frequency, to the saturable absorber of the passively mode-locked laser. Measurements show a 3-dB locking range greater than 40 MHz with an applied external RF signal power of 0 dBm. At this power level, the laser beat signal exhibited phase-noise less than -78 dBc/Hz and -93 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz and 5 MHz offsets, respectively.