Simplified Model of the Dynamic Thermal Tuning Behavior of VCSELs

In this letter, a simplified thermal model is used to derive a closed-form expression for the frequency dependency of the current-to-wavelength tuning coefficient (FM response) of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs). It explains the experimentally observed square root law and shows very good agreement with measured FM responses of two different VCSEL types. It yields significantly improved accuracy compared to the usually assumed first-order low-pass model.