Abstract

Long-wavelength laser diodes based on the In-GaAsP/InP materials system now provide sources for the entire 1.1-1.65-µm spectral range. For lightwave telecommunication applications, most attention has been focused on the 1.3-µm minimum fiber dispersion region and the 1.5-1.6-µm minimum fiber loss region. The longest unrepeatered spans can be achieved near 1.55 µm, provided that pulse distortion due to chromatic dispersion in the fiber can be avoided. Despite advances in broadband low- dispersion fiber designs, the ultimate high-bit-rate long-distance system will require a laser source capable of operating at a single frequency (single longitudinal mode) even at high modulation speeds.

© 1984 Optical Society of America