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Construction and Characterization of External Cavity Diode Lasers for Atomic Physics
Published on: April 24, 2014
Tunable single-mode Fabry-Perot laser diode using a built-in external cavity and its modulation characteristics
Yong Deok Jeong1, Yong Hyub Won, Sang Ook Choi
1Optical Internet Research Center, Information and Communications University, Yuseong-Gu, Daejeon, Korea. kumdong@icu.ac.kr
Optics Letters
|August 12, 2006
Summary
A tunable single-mode fiber laser was developed using a weakly coupled cavity. This laser offers a 10 nm tuning range and improved modulation depth, controlled by operating temperature.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Semiconductor Lasers
Background:
- Fabry-Perot laser diodes are fundamental components in optical communications.
- Achieving stable, tunable single-mode operation is crucial for advanced laser applications.
- External cavity designs offer a pathway to enhance laser performance and tunability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a tunable single-mode laser using a weakly coupled cavity.
- To investigate the temperature-dependent tuning characteristics and side-mode suppression.
- To analyze the direct modulation capabilities of the developed laser system.
Main Methods:
- A coaxially packaged Fabry-Perot laser diode was employed.
- A weakly coupled cavity structure was implemented using a fiber optic external reflector.
- The operating temperature was tuned to control and stabilize single-mode oscillation.
- Direct modulation characteristics were experimentally evaluated.
Main Results:
- A tunable single-mode laser was successfully realized.
- A tuning range of approximately 10 nm was achieved by varying temperature from 11.5 to 25°C.
- A side-mode suppression ratio exceeding 27 dB was maintained within this tuning range.
- Shorter external cavities were found to support deeper modulation depths.
Conclusions:
- The weakly coupled cavity design provides an effective method for achieving tunable single-mode operation in Fabry-Perot laser diodes.
- Temperature tuning is a viable and stable method for controlling laser wavelength and single-mode performance.
- The external cavity laser exhibits promising characteristics for direct modulation applications, with shorter cavities offering enhanced modulation capabilities.
