Title :
Generation of transform-limited optical pulses using a combination of a gain-switched diode laser and a semiconductor optical amplifier
Author :
Chung, J. ; Kikuchi, N. ; Sasaki, S.
Author_Institution :
Central Res. Lab., Hitachi Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
Abstract :
We introduce a novel method for generating nearly transform-limited picosecond optical pulses at multi-gigahertz repetition rates. Frequency-chirped optical pulses are first produced using a gain-switched semiconductor diode laser, and they are subsequently amplified by a semiconductor optical amplifier. The red frequency chirp in the gain-switched pulses is compensated for almost completely as a result of gain-saturation-induced self-phase modulation occurring in the amplification process. Experimentally, we have successfully generated nearly transform-limited 28-ps optical pulses at a 5-GHz repetition rate using a distributed feedback diode laser and a traveling wave semiconductor optical amplifier.<>
Keywords :
Q-switching; chirp modulation; distributed feedback lasers; high-speed optical techniques; laser feedback; optical modulation; quantum well lasers; travelling wave amplifiers; 1.558 mum; 28 ps; 5 GHz; amplification process; distributed feedback diode laser; frequency-chirped optical pulses; gain-saturation-induced self-phase modulation; gain-switched diode laser; gain-switched pulses; gain-switched semiconductor diode laser; multi-gigahertz repetition rates; picosecond optical pulses; red frequency chirp; repetition rate; semiconductor optical amplifier; transform-limited optical pulses; traveling wave semiconductor optical amplifier; Chirp modulation; Distributed feedback devices; Frequency; Optical pulse generation; Optical pulses; Pulse amplifiers; Pulse modulation; Semiconductor diodes; Semiconductor lasers; Semiconductor optical amplifiers;
Journal_Title :
Photonics Technology Letters, IEEE
