Suppressing mode hopping in semiconductor lasers by orthogonal-polarization optical feedback

Mode hopping is characterized by a stochastic exchange of power between two longitudinal modes of a laser, inducing a high-level intensity noise in the laser's output. This investigation proposes an orthogonal-polarization optical feedback (OPF) method to suppress mode hopping in semiconductor lasers. Experimental results indicated that, under some operating conditions, mode hopping could be completely suppressed by an OPF of around -29.3 dB in feedback ratio while the laser was conducted into a single-mode state. Moreover, the mode-hopping region was significantly reduced, enabling the laser's wavelength to be tuned continuously over a wider range. These results can be used to greatly improve the performance of semiconductor lasers.