Abstract

The linewidth enhancement factor α is of fundamental importance in the mathematical modeling of semiconductor lasers. In particular, it has been associated with a coupling between intensity and phase of the optical field; this coupling is an important mechanism for excess line broadening.¹ We employ a linear analysis (hence neglecting gain saturation) to assess the importance of the influence of the laser structure on the intensity–phase coupling in terms of an effective linewidth enhancement factor α_eff. Our results indicate that, for Fabry-Perot lasers and index-coupled distributed feedback lasers, α_eff is identical to the material value of α.

© 1991 Optical Society of America