Experimental determination of gain compression factors of a DFB laser in the presence of TM light injection

Compared to direct current modulation, an optical modulation scheme of laser diodes exhibits no rolling off characteristics due to the electrical parasitics existing in the laser diodes. In particular, in the TM light injection scheme, no injection locking phenomena take place. A number of applications of TM light injection have been reported. In relation to these, determining the gain compression factors of laser diodes in the presence of TM light injection is essential. A new technique for determining these factors is presented. The technique is shown to be viable for measuring the gain compression of distributed feedback (DFB) lasers.<>