Modulation Response of Twin Optically Coupled Diode Lasers

Abstract

The modulation response of twin optically coupled diode lasers is investigated by modeling the dynamics of the system with a set of single mode rate equations. Steady states of the system are derived analytically or calculated numerically when an analytic expression is not easily available. The stability of the steady states is examined by using a linear stability analysis, which is also used in an algorithm that calculates the infinitesimal modulation response. The modulation response is also calculated by using a numerical method that directly integrates the rate equations. Typical parameters for an InGaAsP diode laser are used in the algorithms to investigate mutual coupling and evanescent coupling. It is discovered that mutually coupled lasers can be effectively modulated out to frequencies of approximately 9GHz compared to 4GHz for a solitary laser. Large regions of the parameter space for evanescent coupling produce unstable steady states, but this is remedied by introducing asymmetric DC currents through the lasers or by introducing the effects of gain saturation. With stable steady states, evanescently coupled lasers can be effectively modulated at frequencies out to about 30 GHz which is more than a seven fold improvement over a solitary laser.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 27, 2008
Accession Number
ADA483257

Entities

People

  • Eric M. Golden

Organizations

  • Air Force Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • C4I
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Computational Science
  • Computer Programs
  • Computing Devices
  • Dielectric Permittivity
  • Differential Equations
  • Eigenvalues
  • Electric Fields
  • Energy Bands
  • Equations
  • Frequency
  • Laser Diodes
  • Lasers
  • Optoelectronic Devices
  • Phase Modulation
  • Simulations
  • Steady State

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Atmospheric Science / Meteorology, specifically Wind Wave Turbulence.
  • Computational Modeling and Simulation
  • Optical Physics and Photonics.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Space