Optical heterodyning of narrow-linewidth surface etched distributed Bragg reflector laser diodes

In this work, we report on the use of narrow spectral linewidth DBR lasers at 850-nm with wide tuning ranges as optical heterodyne sources. Using widely tunable laser diodes as sources allows for generation over the entire photodetector range. By utilizing devices that can emit a narrow spectral linewidth without the use of additional feedback systems, the size and complexity of the heterodyning system is greatly reduced. Finally, using devices at 850-nm ensures a high level of absorption when paired with a low-temperature-grown (LTG)-GaAs photomixer