Reduction of absorption loss in asymmetric twin waveguide laser tapers using argon plasma-enhanced quantum-well intermixing

Lasers based on asymmetric twin waveguide integration technology are limited by the necessity of pumping the tapers to avoid absorption losses within this section of the active region. Here, we demonstrate that the threshold current is reduced by argon plasma-enhanced quantum-well intermixing in the taper. Intermixing induces a (57/spl plusmn/5) nm wavelength blue shift in the emission peak, accompanied by a <12-nm linewidth broadening of the photoluminescence spectrum, indicating minimal material degradation. The threshold current of a 0.6-mm-long laser is reduced by (18/spl plusmn/1)% to (27/spl plusmn/1) mA using an intermixed taper as compared to a nonintermixed structure.