Abstract

In most lasers the fundamental quantum linewidth is too small to be of concern. However, the quantum limit as derived by Schawlow and Townes varies as the square of the optical mode volume. In the small volume semiconductor lasers this translates typically to a sizable linewidth of a few MHz. In semiconductors the linewidth is also increased by an additional factor (1 +α²) where α, the amplitude to phase coupling factor, is in the range of 3-6.

© 1992 IQEC