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Dynamics of Amplitude and Phase in Semiconductor Lasers and Effects of Propagation in Dispersive Optical Fibers

Citation

Marshall, William K. (1997) Dynamics of Amplitude and Phase in Semiconductor Lasers and Effects of Propagation in Dispersive Optical Fibers. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/amwv-x166. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-06072005-131657

Abstract

The work described in this thesis occupies the region of overlap between the modulation, chirp, and noise properties of semiconductor lasers on one hand and dispersive propagation in optical fiber on the other. It is shown herein that simple relationships exist between the amplitude and phase variations of different kinds and that these relations lead to consequences of dispersive propagation which are different for the noise from semiconductor lasers than for the modulation. A range of topics related to the main theme of the interplay between laser chirp, amplitude-phase correlation, and dispersive propagation is considered. That there is much to be gained by understanding them together, as inter-related issues, is the overall conclusion.

First, changes in intensity variations which occur during dispersive propagation are described compactly in terms of a transfer function involving the relationship between amplitude and phase variations of the source. Then, the main dynamic characteristics of semiconductor lasers are described including the relationships between amplitude and phase variations produced by modulation and noise in semiconductor lasers. For an appropriate combination of laser and fiber parameters, it is demonstrated that the laser intensity noise can be reduced over a wide range of frequencies. It is also demonstrated that the change in relative intensity noise with propagation has a different dependence on laser and fiber parameters than does the change in modulation response. Next, the phenomenon of adiabatic compression of the gain and index of refraction in a semiconductor due to spectral hole burning is considered, clarifying some aspects of the commonly-used spectral hole burning model. Finally, the problem of the semiconductor laser and dispersive propagation of the output is re-examined within a quantum mechanical context and the input-output relations for the laser are explored.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Subject Keywords:semiconductor lasers ; dispersive optical fibers
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Engineering and Applied Science
Major Option:Applied Physics
Thesis Availability:Not set
Research Advisor(s):
  • Yariv, Amnon
Thesis Committee:
  • Yariv, Amnon (chair)
  • Bridges, William B.
  • Libbrecht, Kenneth George
  • Psaltis, Demetri
  • Vahala, Kerry J.
Defense Date:27 May 1997
Additional Information:Further redistribution/use is prohibited.
Record Number:CaltechETD:etd-06072005-131657
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-06072005-131657
DOI:10.7907/amwv-x166
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:5224
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Imported from ETD-db
Deposited On:07 Jun 2005
Last Modified:22 Feb 2021 17:43

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