Supermode Si/III-V hybrid lasers, optical amplifiers and modulators: A proposal and analysis

We describe a hybrid laser structure which consists of an amplifying III-V waveguide proximity-coupled to a passive Si waveguide. By operating near the synchronism point (where the phase velocities of the individual waveguides are equal), we can cause the optical power to be confined to any of the two waveguides. This is accomplished by control of waveguides' geometry. In the portion of the supermode resonator where amplification takes place, the mode is confined nearly completely to III-V guide thus realizing a near maximal gain. Near the output facet, the mode power is confined to the Si waveguide thus optimizing the output coupling. This is to be contrasted with approaches which depend on evanescent field penetration into the III-V medium to obtain gain.