To obtain an optical-pulse generation element which can generate short optical pulses which are provided with a high-speed repetitive frequency and with a narrow time width by a method wherein a semiconductor laser is driven by a direct current, an optical phase modulator is operated at a large amplitude and the repetitive frequency of optical pulses is controlled.
In an MQW laser element 10, an optical waveguide 11 is formed on a substrate 20. The optical waveguide 11 is constituted of a semiconductor laser part 12 and of an optical phase modulator part 14 which is coupled to the semiconductor laser part. The semiconductor laser part 12 contains first semiconductor parts 24, 26, 28, 30, and the optical phase modulator part 14 contains second semiconductor parts 32, 34, 36. Then, the semiconductor laser part 12 is driven by a direct current, the optical phase modulator part 14 is operated at a large amplitude, an optical pulse train is generated, and the repetitive frequency of optical pulses is controlled by the optical phase modulator 14. Thereby, it is possible to generate short optical pulses which are provided with a high-speed repetitive frequency and with a narrow time width.
YAMANAKA TAKAYUKI
YOSHIMOTO NAOTO
