Frequency-resolved optical gating measurements of sub-ps pulses from InAs/InP quantum dash based mode-locked lasers

Mode-locking of single-section Fabry-Pérot lasers based on InAs/InP quantum dashes is studied by second-harmonic generation frequency-resolved optical gating (SHG-FROG). The devices take advantage of an optimized epitaxial structure with modal gain of 50 cm-1 showing a broad and flat emission spectrum of width in excess of 14 nm. Self-starting pulses of a width down to 430 fs are observed after intracavity dispersion compensation using single-mode fiber (SMF).