Exploring the feedback limits of quantum dot lasers for isolator-free photonic integrated circuits

Ying Shi; Bozhang Dong; Xiangpeng Ou; Artem Prokoshin; Chen Shang; John E. Bowers; Yating Wan

doi:10.1038/s41377-026-02185-w

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Exploring the feedback limits of quantum dot lasers for isolator-free photonic integrated circuits

Original Articles

- Exploring the feedback limits of quantum dot lasers for isolator-free photonic integrated circuits
- Exploring the feedback limits of quantum dot lasers for isolator-free photonic integrated circuits
- Light: Science & Applications 2026年15卷第4期页码：1125-1136
- Affiliations：
  
  1.Integrated Photonics Lab, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
  2.Institute for Energy Efficiency, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
- Author bio：
  
  Yating Wan (yating.wan@kaust.edu.sa)
- Funds：
- DOI：10.1038/s41377-026-02185-w
  中图分类号：
- 收稿：2025-09-30，
  
  修回：2025-12-13，
  
  录用：2026-01-06，
  
  网络首发：2026-01-30，
  
  纸质出版：2026-04-30
- Accepted：
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Ying Shi, Bozhang Dong, Xiangpeng Ou, 等. Exploring the feedback limits of quantum dot lasers for isolator-free photonic integrated circuits[J]. Light: Science & Applications, 2026,15(4):1125-1136.

Shi, Y. et al. Exploring the feedback limits of quantum dot lasers for isolator-free photonic integrated circuits. Light: Science & Applications, 15, 1125-1136 (2026).
Ying Shi, Bozhang Dong, Xiangpeng Ou, 等. Exploring the feedback limits of quantum dot lasers for isolator-free photonic integrated circuits[J]. Light: Science & Applications, 2026,15(4):1125-1136. DOI： 10.1038/s41377-026-02185-w.

Shi, Y. et al. Exploring the feedback limits of quantum dot lasers for isolator-free photonic integrated circuits. Light: Science & Applications, 15, 1125-1136 (2026). DOI： 10.1038/s41377-026-02185-w.

摘要

Abstract

Reflections from on-chip components pose significant challenges to stable laser operation in photonic integrated circuits (PICs). Quantum dot (QD) lasers

with low linewidth enhancement factors and high damping rates

are promising for isolator-free integration

yet earlier feedback studies were capped near −10 dB feedback and never reached coherence collapse (CC). As a result

one could only conclude that QD lasers tolerate feedback up to –10 dB

leaving open whether they remain reliable in practical PICs where lower coupling losses allow much stronger feedback. Here

we optimized QD lasers through advanced epitaxial growth and fabrication and developed a setup that delivers feedback up to 0 dB. Under these conditions

we observed CC at −6.7 dB (21.4% feedback)

extending the feedback tolerance by tens of decibels beyond quantum-well (QW) lasers. We further demonstrated penalty-free 10 Gbps operation

robust thermal stability with ±0.5 dB drift across 15–45 ℃

>100 h continuous testing

and ~±0.3 dB reproducibility across devices. Modeling indicates even stronger tolerance in realistic PIC cavities

and benchmarking shows our device rivals hybrid DFB–resonator platforms while outperforming other QW

and VCSEL lasers. Together

this work provides the most comprehensive assessment of QD laser feedback tolerance to date and establishes practical design rules for isolator-free PICs.

关键词

Keywords

references

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