Measuring the feedback parameter of a semiconductor laser with external optical feedback

Authors

Yanguang Yu, University of WollongongFollow
Jiangtao Xi, University of WollongongFollow
Joe F. Chicharo, University of WollongongFollow

RIS ID

37084

Publication Details

Yu, Y., Xi, J. & Chicharo, J. F. (2011). Measuring the feedback parameter of a semiconductor laser with external optical feedback. Optics Express, 19 (10), 9582-9593. Copyright the Optical Society.

Abstract

Feedback parameter (the C factor) is an important parameter for a semiconductor laser operating in the regime of external optical feedback. Self-mixing interferometry (SMI) has been proposed for the measurement of the parameter, based on the time-domain analysis of the output power waveforms (called SMI signals) in presence of feedback. However, the existing approaches only work for a limited range of C, below about 3.5. This paper presents a new method to measure C based on analysis of the phase signal of SMI signals in the frequency domain. The proposed method covers a large range of C values, up to about 10. Simulations and experimental results are presented for verification of the proposed method.