Laser Light Sources to enable ultra-wide spectral bandwidth for Optical Communications

Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. (Head Office: 2-3, Marunouchi 2-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Keiichi Kobayashi; hereafter "Furukawa Electric") has developed the new laser light source products for wide-band optical communication for SUPER C-band and SUPER L-band, the wide tuning range micro-ITLA (Integrable Tunable Laser Assembly) and the pump laser diode modules for Raman amplifiers with expanded supporting wavelength range.

Increasing the capacity of Metro and Long-haul optical communication networks will be essential in the implementation of 5G. Higher bit-rate make the bandwidth per optical channel wider that needs channel spacing greater than the traditional 50GHz and wider spectral bandwidth per fiber to contain the same number of channels. In addition, Raman amplifiers will be used for better singal-to-noise ratio with this wide-bandwidth and high-speed transmission.
So far Furukawa Electric has commercialized micro-ITLAs and pump laser diode modules for Raman amplifiers for traditional C-band and L-band, and this time, we have extended its supporting wavelength range to Super C-band and Super L-band. These are also expected to be basic technologies that will support the future all-photonics network.

Furukawa Electric has lined up micro-ITLAs and Raman pump laser diode modules for wider wavelength range using its lower loss waveguide technology by optimizing designs based on crystal growth and precision semiconductor processing cultivated for over 20 years. Both product groups achieve industry-leading levels of optical performance.

As bandwidth increases, wider tuning range micro-ITLA is required for coherent optical communication. To cope with this, we have developed a micro-ITLA with wavelength range expanded from 96 to 120 channels for 50 GHz spacing. The available bandwidth has expanded from the conventional C-band: 191.300 - 196.100 THz (4.8 THz width) to Super C-band: 190.675 - 196.675 THz (6 THz width). In the same way it will also be possible to expand bandwidth from the conventional L-band: 186.350 - 190.700 THz (4.35 THz width) to Super L-band: 184.350 - 190.500 THz (6.15 THz width).

The wide bandwidth transmission requires the expansion in Raman Pump laser wavelength as well. With the new developed pump laser diode modules, the wavelength range that can be specified for 400/500/600 mW products expanded greatly from 1420 - 1510 nm to 1330 - 1520 nm.

Furukawa Electric will continue to support the development of telecommunications based on R&D on high-performance laser light source products and to contribute to the realization of safe, peaceful and rewarding daily life.