Solid-state repetition-rate tunable semiconductor colliding-pulse mode-locked laser

A monolithic mode-locked semiconductor laser with the capability of tuning its repetition rate while passively mode-locked through solid-state means is reported. Over 200 MHz of tuning is demonstrated with variations in the applied dc bias. Dynamic tuning is demonstrated by applying an ac signal to one section showing a tuning bandwidth over a hundred megahertz. Pulse parameters and timing jitter are also presented for passive and hybrid mode-locking operation.