Electrically switchable self-pulsations in integratable multisection DFB-lasers

An integratable version of a self-pulsating AR-coated multisection DFB-laser with a phase-tuning section integrated between two DFB sections is presented. It is shown that the phase current can act as an electrical switch for turning ON and OFF the self-pulsations. In addition, the frequency stability can be improved by properly adjusting the phase current. The frequency of the self-pulsations is electrically tunable over more than one octave continuously.