Dynamics of electro-optical synchronization of self-pulsating laser diodes

Higher speed requirements in communication systems have led to demands for fast optical sub-systems. Important aspects of such sub-systems will be the synchronization of self-pulsating laser diode (SP LD) emission to electrical or optical signals and timing extraction, aspects which have already been demonstrated experimentally. Consequently, these devices may play important roles as functional elements in transparent transmission systems. Effective implementation of these functions in communications systems using these devices depends on a more complete understanding of synchronization of SP LDs than exists at present. In this paper we address a number of important timing issues relating to electro-optical synchronization. We have experimentally observed for the first time that a phase difference exists between the input electrical signal and the output optical signal of a synchronized SP LD and we have experimentally and theoretically investigated the nature and behaviour of this phase difference. We have also numerically investigated the impact of synchronization of SP LDs on timing jitter in the emitted optical pulses.