Abstract

We calculate the power spectrum of a periodically gain-switched semiconductor laser whose output pulses have amplitude fluctuations and timing jitter that are uncorrelated from pulse to pulse. Our spectrum is in agreement with analogous calculations for correlated jitter in the low-noise limit. Thus rms values of uncorrelated jitter can be measured with subpicosecond sensitivity from spectrum analyzer data. We compare our results to a numerical simulation and experimental measurements.

© 1992 Optical Society of America