1.5 /spl mu/m sub-picosecond pulse generation from an InGaAsP DFB diode laser synchronized with a mode-locked Ti:sapphire laser

We report the first successful demonstration of 1.5 /spl mu/m sub-picosecond pulse generation from a gain-switched InGaAsP distributed feedback laser diode synchronized with a mode locked Ti:sapphire laser. Note that the wavelength of 1.5 /spl mu/m is indispensable in the fiber optic telecommunication system while a mode-locked Ti:sapphire laser can generate sub-picosecond optical pulses at much shorter wavelength. Such a dual wavelength feature is very attractive and would provide new tools for the pump-and-probe characterization methods, including the electro-optic sampling, of high speed optoelectronic devices.