Low-noise 1.3 μm InAs/GaAs quantum dot laser monolithically grown on silicon

We report low-noise, high-performance single transverse mode 1.3 μm InAs/GaAs quantum dot lasers monolithically grown on silicon (Si) using molecular beam epitaxy. The fabricated narrow-ridge-waveguide Fabry–Perot (FP) lasers have achieved a room-temperature continuous-wave (CW) threshold current of 12.5 mA and high CW temperature tolerance up to 90°C. An ultra-low relative intensity noise of less than −150 dB/Hz is measured in the 4–16 GHz range. Using this low-noise Si-based laser, we then demonstrate 25.6 Gb/s data transmission over 13.5 km SMF-28. These low-cost FP laser devices are promising candidates to provide cost-effective solutions for use in uncooled Si photonics transmitters in inter/hyper data centers and metropolitan data links