Title :
Chirp and system performance of integrated laser modulators
Author :
Fells, J.A.J. ; Gibbon, M.A. ; Thompson, G.H.B. ; White, I.H. ; Penty, R.V. ; Wright, A.P. ; Saunders, R.A. ; Armistead, C.J. ; Kimber, E.M.
Author_Institution :
Sch. of Phys., Bath Univ., UK
Abstract :
Time-resolved chirp measurements and laser-threshold measurements are used to understand the chirp performance of integrated laser electroabsorption modulators. The different effects of the intrinsic modulator chirp component and chirp caused by optical feedback, from reflection at the output facet into the laser, are observed. A figure of merit is introduced to assess the chirp performance, which shows good correlation with dispersion penalty measurements. The effect of reflection-induced chirp is considerably reduced by operating the modulator with negative chirp. An optimized device is reported, which delivers purely negative chirp with reasonable optical power.<>
Keywords :
chirp modulation; electro-optical modulation; electroabsorption; integrated optics; laser feedback; laser variables measurement; optical correlation; reflectivity; semiconductor lasers; time resolved spectroscopy; chirp performance; integrated laser electroabsorption modulators; integrated laser modulators; intrinsic modulator chirp component; laser-threshold measurements; negative chirp; optical feedback; optimized device; output facet reflection; purely negative chirp; reasonable optical power; reflection-induced chirp; system performance; time-resolved chirp measurements; Chirp modulation; Dispersion; Frequency; Laser feedback; Optical devices; Optical feedback; Optical modulation; Optical reflection; Phase modulation; System performance;
Journal_Title :
Photonics Technology Letters, IEEE
