Dynamics of DFB Semiconductor Laser Amplifiers

Abstract

DFB laser amplifiers are very attractive for optical filtering because they can serve both as channel and noise filters and at the same time provide amplification. They may be used as filters in switching network or as receiver preamplifiers in multichannel direct detection systems [1]. Amplifiers incorporating DFB structures have also been suggested for wavelength converters [2]. For such applications it is important to understand the dynamic behaviour of DFB amplifiers when they are used in high speed systems. Especially, it is interesting to know the influence of the very narrow gain spectrum on short optical pulses.