Recent progress in picosecond pulse generation from semiconductor lasersThis paper reviews the recent progress in producing picosecond optical pulses from semiconductor laser diodes. The discussion concentrates on the mode-locking of a semiconductor laser diode in an external resonator. Transform-limited optical pulses ranging from several picoseconds to subpicosecond durations have been observed with active and passive mode-locking. Even though continuing research on the influence of impurities and defects on the mode-locking process is still needed, this technique has good promise for being utilized in fiber-optic communication systems. Alternative methods of direct electrical and optical excitation to produce ultrashort laser pulses are also described. They can generate pulses of similar widths to those obtained by mode-locking. The pulses generated will find applications in laser ranging and detector response measurement.
Document ID
19830065449
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Auyeung, J. C. (Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Johnston, A. R. (California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena CA, United States)