Mode partition noise characteristics in high-speed modulated laser diodes

This paper presents the theoretical and experimental results of a study on laser diode mode partition noise. Laser diode mode partition noise is evaluated by mode partition constants which indicate the degree of variance in longitudinal mode power. The relationship between the mode partition constants and laser diode characteristic parameters is clarified using rate equations. The mode partition constants for AlGaAs/GaAs and InGaAsP/InP double heterostructure laser diodes are measured experimentally and found to be independent of the structure, wavelength (
0.8-1.6 \mu
m), and bit-rate (400 Mbits/s-l.6 Gbits/s). The experimental and theoretical results show excellent agreement.