Analysis of optical crosstalk in coherence multiplexed systems employing a short coherence laser diode with arbitrary power spectrum

It is shown that the crosstalk level in coherence multiplexed systems is closely dependent on the profile of the emission spectrum of the laser diodes used. The cases of Gaussian, Lorentzian, and cos² power spectra are considered. The results demonstrate that crosstalk may very by several tens of decibels when using laser diodes operating with the same coherence length but exhibiting different spectral profiles. Illustrations in the area of optical communications are given for superluminescent diodes and multimode laser diodes with a Lorentzian and a cos² power spectrum. Results indicate that Gaussian sources are preferable