Multiwavelength laser source using linear optical amplifier

We propose and demonstrate a high-performance multiwavelength ring laser based on a linear optical amplifier (LOA) for potential applications in dense wavelength-division-multiplexing communication systems. Experimental results indicate that the inhomogeneous gain medium provided by the LOA reduces the gain competition and leads to stable multiwavelength lasing. Thirty-eight wavelengths covering C + L-band with 0.8-nm channel spacing are generated at room temperature. Simultaneous tuning of multiwavelengths is demonstrated and a stability test shows a power fluctuation of less than 0.2 dB during a 3-h test.