Abstract

Optical spectrum analyzers are convenient instruments for testing parameters such as the emission spectrum of laser diodes or light emitting diodes, the deterioration of the laser diode spectral width due to phenomena such as chirping, and the presence of side modes when measuring single-longitudinal- mode laser diodes. A comparison of optical spectral analysis methods including interference spectrophotometric methods and dispersion spectrophotometric methods is given. Emphasis is placed on diffraction grating and Fabry-Perot inteferometer techniques. The importance of parameters such as dynamic range, resolution, and elimination of effects of polarization is discussed. Examples are given of the use of spectrum analyzers to measure the effects of changes in temperature and current as well as the effects of phenomena such as mode hopping and chirping.

© 1987 Optical Society of America