Intensity modulation and noise characterization of high-speed semiconductor lasers

Author

Miller, Christopher M.

Author_Institution

Hewlett-Packard, Rohnert Park, CA, USA

Volume

2

Issue

2

fYear

1991

fDate

5/1/1991 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

44

Lastpage

50

Abstract

Several properties of lasers used in high-speed optical transmission systems are described. The characteristics of the modulation bandwidth transfer function and the relaxation oscillation frequency, and factors that must be optimized to maximize the modulation bandwidth, are examined. The intensity noise spectral characteristics and the relationship to the modulation bandwidth are determined. The relative intensity noise (RIN) of the laser is defined, and its relationship to the laser transmitters signal-to-noise ratio is noted. Techniques to measure these laser characteristics are reviewed, along with some measurement limitations. Sample measurements of the modulation response intensity noise, and RIN of a 1300-nm DFB laser using the HP 71400 lightwave signal analyzer are shown.<>

Keywords

laser variables measurement; noise measurement; optical communication equipment; optical modulation; optical transfer function; optical variables measurement; semiconductor junction lasers; 1300 nm; DFB laser; HP 71400 lightwave signal analyzer; SNR; high-speed optical transmission systems; high-speed semiconductor lasers; intensity modulation; intensity noise spectral characteristics; laser characteristics measurement; laser transmitter; modulation bandwidth transfer function; modulation response; noise characterization; relative intensity; relaxation oscillation frequency; signal-to-noise ratio; Bandwidth; Frequency; High speed optical techniques; Intensity modulation; Laser noise; Optical modulation; Optical noise; Optical transmitters; Signal to noise ratio; Transfer functions;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

LTS, IEEE

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1055-6877

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/80.93288

Filename

93288