Theoretical and experimental study of second-order distortions in CATV DFB laser diodes

Calculation of linearity performances of a given DFB laser is a well-known problem when working with CATV AM-VSB optical links. In this paper, a nonlinear model of the DFB laser is presented. The bias and frequency dependence of second order intermodulation distortion is analyzed by combining Volterra models of the laser leakage current and rate equations. The prediction of the model is then compared to distortion measurements with a maximum discrepancy of around 1.5 dB.<
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