Wavelength stabilizer for telecommunication lasers: design and optimization

We introduce a novel method for the wavelength stabilization of semiconductor lasers for telecommunications. The approach is based on a wavelength-sensitive photodetector which, in a feedback system, generates an error signal apt to tune the source to the desired value. We extensively investigate the influence of various design parameters on performance figures such as tunability, steady-state error, and temperature dependence, as well as fabrication tolerances. The results are compared with standard specifications for wavelength-division-multiplexed optical communications with various channel spacings.