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Class 16 – Optical Modulation

10/16/2018 ECSE 430 / ECSE 540 1


Admin
• Class assessment #2 on Mon, Oct 22
o Individual section: everything form last
Assessment
o Group section: can include concepts from the
beginning of semester (review bV curves…)

10/16/2018 ECSE 430 / ECSE 540 2


This class
• Optical modulation
– Direct modulation of semiconductor laser diodes

10/16/2018 ECSE 430 / ECSE 540 3


Learning outcomes
• Explain qualitatively the features of direct modulation
of laser diodes

10/16/2018 ECSE 430 / ECSE 540 4


Muddiest point
• Take a few minutes and write down any
questions that you have on semiconductor
optical sources
– Can send via email to lawrence.chen@mcgill.ca

10/16/2018 ECSE 430 / ECSE 540 5


Rate equations for a laser diode
dN I N
• Carrier rate equation    GP
dt q c

decrease from
decrease due
increase from radiative and
to stimulated
current injection non-radiative
emission
recombinations
dP P
• Photon rate equation dt
 GP  R sp 
p

contribution from contribution from decrease from


stimulated emission spontaneous emission cavity losses
(gain)
10/16/2018 ECSE 430 / ECSE 540 6
Optical modulation: an additional
rate equation
• The semiconductor laser rate equations must
be solved simultaneously to obtain all
information regarding laser dynamics
dP P
 GP  R sp 
dt p
dN I N Modulation:
   GP
dt q c → ,

d 1  1
  c GN (N  N0 )  
dt 2   p 

10/16/2018 ECSE 430 / ECSE 540 7


Small signal modulation

• Small sig.: > ; ≪ -
• Assume sin

Solutions to the rate equations:


sin ω t
sin ω t φ

10/16/2018 ECSE 430 / ECSE 540 8


Small signal modulation
• What do these curves show?

10/16/2018 ECSE 430 / ECSE 540 9


Small signal modulation
• Explain the significance of these curves

Relaxation
oscillations

10/16/2018 ECSE 430 / ECSE 540 10


Class worksheet
• Practise

10/16/2018 ECSE 430 / ECSE 540 11

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