Distributed feedback (DFB) lasers allow the generation of pulses with narrow linewidth, and are compact tunable laser sources for applications in integrated optics. In this thesis, for the first time, dynamic DFB lasing action was achieved in a reflection pumping configuration instead of the traditional transmission pumping one. A tunable one- dimensional (1-D) DFB photonic crystal (PC) created by transient interference pattern of two crossing pump beams was obtained in dye doped laser media, which indicated the existence of an index modulation. The polarization modulation, realized by readily manipulating the state of polarization of the pumping beams, was demonstrated effective in providing feedback for DFB lasing oscillation in the reflection pumping configuration. A tunable chiral photonic DFB structure was observed in certain polarization pumping schemes, which can be identified as a dynamic polarization dependent chiral PC. Tunable circularly-polarized laser output was obtained.

Fei Chen obtained a PhD in Physics at Université d'Angers in France. Her doctoral work was on the study of distributed feedback (DFB) lasers in reflection configuration. Her research interests focus on microcavity lasers based on semiconducting polymers and dye doped sol-gel glasses. So far she has published 7 peer-reviewed journal papers.