Packaging trends for semiconductor lasers for DWDM-applications

DWDM systems with up to 100 channels are nowadays an established technology to increase the capacity of an optical fiber. For DWDM lasers a small line-width and a stable wavelength are required. Not only the spectral behavior of the lasers is important but also the physical dimensions of the laser module, length of the fiber pigtail and the size of the connectors are becoming important if up to 100 lasers are used in a single DWDM system. In addition with an increasing stacking density of active devices, power consumption management is becoming important.