NPTEL- Fiber Optic Communication Technology Assignment -3

Laser Diodes Resonator, FSR, Q,Single Longitudinal

Mode Lasers, Photon Lifetime, Semiconductor Laser Rate
equation, steady state solution, LI characteristics, Output
power from laser, Modulation response of LD, Chirp

1. Narrow spectral width of the emitted light from laser allows the high bit rate transmission
(> 10 Gbps) in long haul direct detection transmission systems as,
[Ans: a]
(a) fiber dispersion becomes less critical
(b) fiber nonlinearity becomes less critical
(c) both fiber nonlinearity and dispersion becomes less critical
(d) the fiber attenuation becomes less critical

Solution: (a) Fiber dispersion becomes less critical

2. Semiconductor lasers can be direct modulated to high frequency (up to 25 GHz) because of,
[Ans: b]
(a) a long life time associated with the stimulated emission
(b) a short life time associated with stimulated emission
(c) a long lifetime associated with the spontaneous emission
(d) the small structure of the laser

Solution: (b) a short life time associated with stimulated emission

3. Assume
" that the # gain coefficient of a semidonductor material has a parabolic shape g(λ) =
 2
g0 1 − λ−λ
∆λg
0
, with λ0 = 1550nm and ∆λg = 15nm . The length of the cavity is 400 µm,

and the refractive index of the material is 3.6. Find the number of wavelengths that would
satisfy the phase condition with g ≥ 0.5g0 .
[Ans: a]
(a) 25
(b) 35
(c) 50
(d) 12
NPTEL- Fiber Optic Communication Technology Assignment-3

Solution: For g ≥ 0.5g0 ,

" #
 λ − λ 2
0
g0 /2 = g0 1 −
∆λg
" #
 λ − λ 2
0
1− = 1/2
∆λg
λ − λ0 1
= ±√
∆λg 2
λ1 − λ0 1
= √ ; λ1 = 1560.6 nm
∆λg 2
λ2 − λ0 1
= − √ ; λ2 = 1539.4 nm
∆λg 2

The total gain spectral width= 21.2 nm

c
F SR = νf = = 104.16 GHz
2nL

Mode spacing in wavelength,

λνf = λ2 × νf /c = 0.834 nm
21.2
The number of wavelengths that satisfy the phase condition= 0.834 =25

4. A GaAs laser operating at a center wavelength of 800 nm has a 400 micron cavity length and
has a refractive index of 3.6. If the gain exceeds the total loss only in the region 750 nm < λ <
850 nm, how many longitudinal modes are possible in this laser?
[Ans: 450 modes]
Answer range: 400 to 500 modes

Solution:
4λ = 100 nm
c
F SR = νf = (1)
2nL
3 × 108
= = 104.16GHz
2 × 3.6 × 400 × 10−6
mode spacing in wavelength corresponding to FSR is,

λνf = νf × λ2 /c (2)
9 −9 2
= 104.16 × 10 × (800 × 10 ) /c = 0.22 nm
Number of longitudinal modes exist=100/0.22=454

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NPTEL- Fiber Optic Communication Technology Assignment-3

5. Use the following data for Qns 5(a) to 5(f).

Consider a semiconductor laser cavity of length 500 µm with end mirrors of reflectivity (ratio
of reflected intensity to the incident intensity) 100% and 90%. The centre wavelength of the
cavity is 1550 nm and the internal cavity loss αcav is 0.05m−1 . The refractive index of the
gain medium is 3.5, optical confinement factor is 0.8, gain coefficient a = 1.5 × 10−19 m2 , and
given the group velocity is the same as phase velocity.
(a) Find mode number corresponding to the central wavelength.
[Ans: ii]
i. 2259
ii. 2258
iii. 2257
iv. 2260

Solution:

mλ/2 = nL (3)
2nL
m=
λ
2 × 3.5 × 500 × 10−6
= = 2258
1550 × 10−9

(b) Find separation between two consecutive modes.

[Ans: i]
i. 85.71 GHz
ii. 171.42 GHz
iii. 42.85 GHz
iv. 21.42 GHz

Solution:
c
F SR = νf = (4)
2nL
3 × 108
= = 85.7 GHz
2 × 3.5 × 500 × 10−6

(c) Find threshold gain.

[Ans: ii]
i. 105.4 m−1
ii. 52.7 m−1
iii. 26.3 m−1
iv. 210.8 m−1

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NPTEL- Fiber Optic Communication Technology Assignment-3

Solution:

gth = α = αcav + αmirr

" #
1 1
gth = αcav + ln (5)
4L R1 R2
" #
1 1
= 0.05 + ln
4 × 500 × 10−6 1 × 0.9
= 0.05 + 52.68 = 52.7 m−1

(d) What would be the line-width if the laser were to operate in single longitudinal mode ?
[Ans: ii]
i. 5.6 GHz
ii. 2.87 GHz
iii. 11.2 GHz
iv. 1.9 GHz

Solution: Finesse F is,

√
π r
F = (6)
1−r
where r is given by,
p
r= R1 R2 exp(−2 × α × L) = 0.90 (7)

Substitute r=0.90 in 6, F = 29.80

Linewidth 4ν is given by,

νf
4ν = = 2.87 GHz (8)
F

(e) Find the photon life time in this cavity.

[Ans: iii]
i. 0.33 ns
ii. 0.44 ns
iii. 0.11 ns
iv. 0.22 ns

Solution: Given vg = vp = c/n = 85.71 × 106 ms−1

Photon lifetime,
1
τp = (9)
2α × vg
1
=
2 × 85.71 × 106 × 52.7
= 0.11 ns

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NPTEL- Fiber Optic Communication Technology Assignment-3

(f) If the facets are uncoated with the reflectivities 0.32 at each end, what is the optical gain
at the lasing threshold? [Ans: 1139.48 m−1 ]
Answer Range: 1138 to 1140 m−1

Solution:
" #
1 1
αmirr = ln
4L R1 R2
" #
1 1
= ln
4 × 500 × 10−6 0.32 × 0.32
= 1139.4 m−1
gth = αcav + αmirr = 0.05 + 1139.4 == 1139.45 m−1 (10)

6. A 0.25 mm long InGaAsP laser has an internal loss of 40cm−1 . It operates at 1550 nm in
single mode, with a modal index of 3.3 and a group index of 3.4. Given that the gain varies
as G = GN (N − N0 ), and GN = 6 × 103 s−1 and N0 = 1 × 108 m−3 .
(a) Find the photon life time, assuming that the facet reflectivities are due to Fresnel reflec-
tions.
[Ans: i]
i. 0.87 ps
ii. 1.7 ps
iii. .48 ps
iv. 0.24 ps

Solution:
Fresnel reflection, reflectivity is,
 n − n 2
 
 1 2
R1 = R2 = 
 n1 + n2 


 3.3 − 1 2
 
=  = 0.286
 
 3.3 + 1 

1 1
αmirr = ln ( )
4L R1 R2
1 1
= −3
ln ( ) = 2502 m−1
4 × 0.25 × 10 0.286 × 0.286
α = αcav + αmirr
= 40 × 102 + 2502 = 6502 m−1

Photon life-time,
1
τp =
2αvg
= 0.87 ps

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NPTEL- Fiber Optic Communication Technology Assignment-3

(b) Find the threshold value of carrier density.

[Ans: ii]
i. 5.8 ×108 m−3
ii. 2.9 ×108 m−3
iii. 2.9 ×109 m−3
iv. 5.8 ×109 m−3

Solution: At threshold,
1
Nth = N0 +
2Γvg aτp
1
= N0 + = 2.9 × 108 m−3
GN τp

(c) Find the threshold current assuming 2 ns as the carrier life time.
[Ans: iii]
i. 16.5 mA/m3
ii. 46.4 mA/m3
iii. 23.2 mA/m3
iv. 69.6 mA/m3

Solution:
q
Ith = Nth = 23.2 mA/m3
τc

(d) What is the power emitted from one facet of this laser when it is operated twice above
the threshold.
[Ans: ii]
i. 14.2 mW
ii. 7.1 mW
iii. 3.5 mW
iv. 21.3 mW

Solution:
αmirr hν
Pout = (I − Ith )
αcav + αmirr q
αmirr hν
= (2Ith − Ith )
αcav + αmirr q
= 7.1 mW

7. What time does it take for the optical energy stored in a resonator of finesse 100, mirror
spacing of 0.5 cm and n = 3, to decay to one half of its initial value?
[Ans: a]

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NPTEL- Fiber Optic Communication Technology Assignment-3

(a) 2.19 ns
(b) 4.3 ns
(c) 1.09 ns
(d) 0.55 ns

Solution: Finesse is given by,

√
π r
F =
1−
√r
π r
100 = ,
1−r
r = 0.96, neglect solution which is greater than 1

p
r= R1 R2 e[−2αL]
p
0.96 = R1 R2 e[−2αL]
1 1
− ln 0.96/(2L) = α + ln
4L R1 R2
= αef f

Thus effective loss=− ln 0.96/(2L)=3.15 m−1

Assuming the group velocity is same as phase velocity, vg = c/n = 108 ms−1 The photon
life time is,
1
τp = = 3.17 ns
αvg

The stored energy can be,

E(t) = E0 e(−t/τp )

Let t0 , be the time over which the energy stored in the resonator decay by half of its initial
value.

E(t0 ) = E0 e(−t0 /τp )

E0 /2 = E0 e(−t0 /τp )
1
t0 = ln( )(−τp )
2
= 2.19 ns

8. Given that the line width enhancement factor of a semiconductor laser is 5 and the adiabatic
chirp coefficient is 20T HzW −1 . Assume the wavelength of the semiconductor laser is 1550
nm and the slope efficieny is 0.45 mW
mA
.
(a) Find shift in wavelength when the operating current changes from 50 mA to 100 mA.
[Ans: iii]
i. 2.8 nm

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NPTEL- Fiber Optic Communication Technology Assignment-3

ii. 5.6 nm
iii. 1.4 nm
iv. 0.7 nm

Solution:
dP dI
=
P I
dI
dP = ×P
I
(100 − 50) × 10−3
= ×P
50 × 10−3
=P

say, P at I:50 mA= 0.5 mW, then, dP = 0.5 mW;

Change in frequency with dP ,

αH
δf1 = × κ × PB 1
4π
αH dP
δf1 = ×κ×( × IB1 )
4π dI
αH dP
deltaf2 = ×κ×( × IB2 )
4π dI
αH dP
δf2 − δf1 = × κ × ( ) × (IB2 − IB1 )
4π dI
5
= × 20 × 1012 × 0.45 × (50 × 10−3
4π
= 179 GHz

Corresponding wavelength change,

λ2
∆λ = × δf
c
= 1.4 nm

(b) Given that the dense wavelength division multiplexing grid is spaced at 50 GHz, what is
the change in bias current required to move the operating frequency across one grid.
[Ans: iv]
i. 27.0 mA
ii. 6.8 mA
iii. 3.4 mA
iv. 13.9 mA

Solution: One grid spacing= 50 GHz

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NPTEL- Fiber Optic Communication Technology Assignment-3

The change in power for a change in frequency of 50 GHz is,

αH
δf = × κ × δP
4π
αH
50 × 109 = × κ × δP
4π
δP = 6.28 mW
δP
δI =
(dP/dI)
6.28 × 10−3
δI = = 13.9 mA
0.45

(c) Find the frequency spread when the laser is biased at 50 mA, for a sinusoidal modulation
at 10 GHz, with amplitude 10 mA.
[Ans: ii]
i. 4.9 GHz
ii. 9.9 GHz
iii. 19.8 GHz
iv. 2.4 GHz

Solution:

I(t) = 10 × 10−3 sin (2π × 1010 t)

dI(t)
= 10 × 10−3 2π × 1010 cos (2π × 1010 t)
dt

Total chirp is given by,

" #
αH 1 dP
δf (t) = κPB +
4π PB dt

dP
PB = ( ) × IB = 0.45IB
dI

" # " #
αH 1 0.45dI αH 1 dI
δf (t) = κ0.45IB + = κ0.45IB +
4π 0.45IB dt 4π IB dt
" #
5 1
= 20 × 1012 × 0.45 × 50 × 10−3 + −3
[10 × 10−3 × 2π × 1010 cos(2π × 1010 t)]
4π 50 × 10
" #
5
= 0.45 × 1012 + 1.25 × 1010 cos(2π × 1010 t)
4π

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NPTEL- Fiber Optic Communication Technology Assignment-3

Total frequency spread,

" #
5 12 10
δf = 0.45 × 10 ± 1.25 × 10
4π
= 9.9 GHz

(d) Find the frequency spread if the laser is biased at 50 mA and now the modulation is
changed to 20 GHz, retaining the amplitude of modulation to be 10 mA.
[Ans: ii]
i. 9.9 GHz
ii. 19.8 GHz
iii. 2.4 GHz
iv. 4.9 GHz

Solution:
When the modulating amplitude is kept as before and the modulating frequency
is doubled (20 GHz now), then also the total frequency spread doubles, i.e; δf =
19.8 GHz

9. A laser diode emits at 10 mW constant optical power with a flat RIN spectral density of -130
dB/Hz. Find the electrical bandwidth so that the RMS optical power fluctuation is less than
0.1 mW ?
[Ans: a]
(a) ≤ 1 GHz
(b) ≤ 2 GHz
(c) ≤ 4 GHz
(d) ≤ 0.5 GHz

Solution:

∆P qR
f2
= f1
Si (f )
P
√
0.1/10 = BW × 10−13

BW ≤ 109 Hz
≤ 1 GHz

10. A laser diode has a spontaneous emission factor Rsp = 1027 s−1 m−3 and photon life time of
2ps, gain cross section, a = 1.5 × 10−19 m2 , confinement factor of 0.2, transparency carrier
density of N0 = 2 × 1023 m3 , group velocity of 8.3 × 107 ms−1 . Given that the laser is operating
above threshold with photon density inside the cavity as 5 × 1020 m−3 .

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NPTEL- Fiber Optic Communication Technology Assignment-3

(a) Find the carrier density difference normalised with respect to the threshold carrier density
difference.
[Ans: iii]
i. 0.49
ii. 0.25
iii. 0.98
iv. 1.2

Solution:

Rsp
P = 1
τp
−G
1 Rsp
G= −
τp P
= 4.9 × 1011
G
N − N0 = = 0.98 × 1023 m−3
2Γvg a
1
Nth − N0 = = 1 × 1023 m−3
2Γvg aτp
N − N0 G
= 0.98 =
Nth − N0 Gth

(b) How do you interpret the fact that gain at a given carrier density is less than the threshold
gain ?
[Ans: i]
i. In practice, it is not possible to achieve Nth .
ii. In practice, it is possible to achieve Nth .
iii. Nth is independent of the gain
iv. Gain transparency

Solution: GGth = 0.98, + ve

The gain at the given carrier density is 0.98 times the gain at the threshold condition.
It means that, in practice, it is not possible to achieve Nth .

(c) Given that the spontaneous life time is 2 × 10−9 s, find the resonant frequency of this
laser.
[Ans: iv]
i. 70 GHz
ii. 105 GHz
iii. 17.5 GHz
iv. 35 GHz

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NPTEL- Fiber Optic Communication Technology Assignment-3

Solution:
v !2
u
uG P 1 1
N b
ωR = t − + GN Pb
τp 2 τc
√
= 1.245 × 1021 − 4.47 × 1018 = 35 GHz

(d) Suggest one method to increase the resonant frequency.

[Ans: iii]
i. Increase the photon lifetime
ii. Decrease the photon lifetime
iii. Decrease the reflectivity of mirrors
iv. Decrease the loss of the cavity

Solution: Decrease the photon lifetime, which can be done by increasing the cavity
loss. By decreasing the reflectivities of the mirror, the loss can be increased. Thus
one method to increase the resonant frequency is to decrease the reflectivity of the
mirrors.

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