Microwave intensity and frequency modulation of Ridge-Waveguide- Type DFB lasers.

Measurements of a ridge-waveguide-type laser modified for a very high frequency operation are described. Small signal intensity modulation measurements show a -3 dB frequency of 6.8 GHz, which is the largest bandwidth yet demonstrated for long wavelength lasers. Efficient frequency modulation (>0. 1 GHz/mA) is demonstrated for modulation frequencies up to 13 GHz. A new standard for comparing semiconductor lasers, the chirp to modulated power ratio (CPR), is suggested as a means of comparing semiconductor lasers and as an aid to understanding the interaction of FM and IM in a semiconductor laser.