Abstract

In transmission of microwave signals or VHF multichannel video signals,^1–3 the relative intensity noise (RIN) of a laser diode plays a key role in determining the overall system SNR when the received optical power is above a certain level. However, RIN data are typically reported for dc bias conditions. For the first time, it is reported that the frequency distribution of RIN changes when rf carriers above 10 MHz and −3 dBm are applied to a laser diode. The implication is that the transmitted rf signals may be compressed severely.

© 1986 Optical Society of America