Output Signal-to-Noise Ratio for Amplitude and Intensity Modulated Laser

General expressions are obtained for output SNR for both amplitude- and intensity-modulated lasers, where bandlimited Gaussian noise has been chosen as a modulating signal, and in the presence of background light. Two types of modulating signals are considered: the baseband and bandpass modulating signals. Detailed calculations are made for output SNR when an ideal narrowband optical filter is used. The dependence of output SNR on several parameters, such as the center frequency of the modulating signal, the effective average quantum rate, and input SNR, are discussed. In addition, the difference in performance between amplitude and intensity modulation is discussed. The detection characteristics of the homodyne system are also considered.