Modulation performance of three-section integrated MOPAs for pseudorandom lidar
01 January 2017
The suitability of a three-section Master Oscillator Power Amplifier for pseudorandom lidar is investigated by means of the experimental characterization and analysis of its emission characteristics under modulation. The proposed architecture consists of a distributed feedback laser, a modulation section and a tapered semiconductor optical amplifier. The modulation section acts as an absorber or amplifier when driven at zero or positive bias. Under pseudorandom modulation at 25 Mbit=s, a high optical modulation amplitude and extinction ratio were achieved. The characterization of the emission spectra under modulation revealed typical features of frequency modulation due to the carrier-induced refractive index changes.