Abstract

We present the theory and measurements of the amplitude noise spectrum from a semiconductor laser with weak optical feedback (P_fb/P_out ≈ 10⁻⁶) from an external cavity containing an element of dispersive loss. The laser noise is found to be reduced over most of the low-frequency spectrum, although an increase in the noise is observed at frequencies corresponding to multiples of the external-cavity free spectral range. The low-frequency noise reduction closely follows theoretical predictions, and a reduction of as much as 7 dB is measured at an injection current of 1.5 times the threshold current. The potential of this method for contributing to the production of amplitude-squeezed light is discussed.

© 1994 Optical Society of America

Quantum-noise reduction in semiconductor lasers

A. Jann and Y. Ben-Aryeh
J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 13(5) 761-767 (1996)

Calculation of spectral linewidth reduction of external-cavity strong-feedback semiconductor lasers

Haiyin Sun, Steve Menhart, and Alois Adams
Appl. Opt. 33(21) 4771-4775 (1994)

Expanding amplitude-squeezing bandwidth with off-peak dispersive optical feedback

Hua Deng
Opt. Lett. 29(19) 2297-2299 (2004)

Self-quenching of fundamental phase and amplitude noise in semiconductor lasers with dispersive loss

Amnon Yariv, Rashit Nabiev, and Kerry Vahala
Opt. Lett. 15(23) 1359-1361 (1990)

Semiconductor lasers with weak optical feedback: spectral properties and frequency-dependent losses

M. Homar, M. San Miguel, and S. Balle
Opt. Lett. 18(16) 1329-1331 (1993)