Furukawa Electric announces development of high power 980nm laser diode for optical amplifiers

March 15, 2002

Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd, today announced the availability of a new high power 980 nanometer (nm) laser diode module capable of producing up to 360mW kink free SMF output power. The new high power pumps will directly address the increased market demand for stable output power 980nm pumps for WDM systems.

The high power modules are a direct result of Furukawa's recently announced joint venture with Mitsui Chemical. Using Mitsui's Decoupled Confinement Heterostructure (DCH) chip design, which enables a low facet temperature and optical density, Furukawa has developed a 980nm module that produces an extremely reliable high output power. The modules are currently available in sample quantities, with full production scheduled by July, 2002 following Telecordia (Bellcore-468) qualification.

Laser diode modules are an integral component for erbium doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs), which are used to amplify optical signals in WDM systems. The 980nm modules, which are often used in pre-amplifiers because of their low-noise characteristics, feature Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) to stabilize the center wavelength. Furukawa succeeded in developing a highly stable laser (0.5% fluctuation over various operating powers and times), while keeping a kink-free optical output power of more than 360mW using standard FBG.

Furukawa have a strong history and expertise in developing and manufacturing laser diode modules, and currently hold nearly 70% of the total market share for 14xx pump lasers.

The 980nm modules will be displayed along with a variety of other solutions in Fitel's Booth #4165 at the OFC Conference in Anaheim, Calif., March 19-21.

Terms

Decoupled Confinement Heterostructure (DCH) - A laser structure composed of active layers designed to capture the light and electrons in different regions. Compared to a conventional Separated Confinement Heterostructure (SCH), the chip can be designed with a lower optical density and can operate at a lower temperature by using materials with high heat conductivity. As a result, the chip can operate at a high output power with minimal signal degradation due to high temperatures.

Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) - A change in the refraction index of optical fiber that is added to the fiber pigtail to stabilize the wavelength.

Kink-Free Optical Power - Optical power level at which the laser cannot retain a linear increase in optical power from added injection current. Laser characteristics change drastically after this point, and this defines the limit of optical power.

About Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.

Furukawa Electric Company, Ltd. is a manufacturer of a wide variety of communications related equipment and services, including optical communications products such as optical fiber and optoelectronic components. Furukawa is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. For more information on Furukawa, visit the company's website at www.furukawa.co.jp/english/.