Travelling-wave modelling of optical feedback effect on mode-locked laser diodes and its reduction by amplifier-absorber modules.

A numerical study of the influence of optical feedback on the dynamics of high-bit-rate mode-locked laser diodes is presented. A wide variety of dynamic regimes is discovered, which is qualitatively different to both single-frequency and self-pulsing lasers. The relation of the findings to the recent experimental results is discussed, and the potential of absorber-amplifier modules as optical isolators investigated.