High power wavelength stabilized 980 nm pump laser modules operating over a temperature range of 135 K

Erbium doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs) have become mature and well established components in optical networks. However, there is an increasing demand for low-cost, highly efficient pump sources deployed as small footprint components with low power consumption. We have reported previously on uncooled pump modules stabilized over a temperature range of 90 K with 95 mW optical output power from the fiber at 100/spl deg/C using our G05-type laser chip (Pliska et al, 2001). Recent progress with our latest generation G06-type InGaAs/GaAs ridge-waveguide laser diodes at 980 nm demonstrates the required highly efficient operation at high optical power while simultaneously satisfying stringent reliability requirements for submarine standards (Schmidt et al, 2001). In this paper, we demonstrate packaged G06-type devices operating over a large temperature range of 135 K, with 160 mW fiber coupled power at 105/spl deg/C and still delivering 110 mW at 120/spl deg/C without active cooling. The laser diode wavelength is stabilized by fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs).