Monolithically integrated tunable mode-locked laser diode source with individual pulse selection and post-amplification.

We report the generation of high-peak-power picosecond optical pulses in the 1.55 μm spectral band from a monolithically mode-locked laser integrated with a pulse selector and power booster. High-peak-power (>1 W) pulses with durations of 15.4 ps at a 55 MHz selected rate are demonstrated, indicating that this device shows promise as a high-peak-power pulsed light source for bio-photonic applications.Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) (MUSIC); Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) (EUROPIC, PARADIGM)