Quantum Walk Comb in a Dual Waveguide Quantum Cascade Laser

Abstract: Ring quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) proved to be a versatile tool for generating tunable and stable frequency combs in the mid infrared range in the form of quantum walk combs. By homogeneously integrating a racetrack QCL with a passive waveguide, which lays on top of the active region plane and therefore can be designed to be fully independent from the laser geometry, we improve the light outcoupling from the ring by more than 2 orders of magnitude reaching a maximum output power of 120 mW. In addition, we show that it is possible to achieve quantum walk comb operation in the devices under analysis. Finally, we prove that we can change the light dispersion by tuning the parameters of the passive waveguide, with a direct impact on the behavior of the generated comb.