High-performance analog-transmission characteristics of 1.3-μm-wavelength multiple quantum-well distributed-feedback laser

Abstract

Amplitude-modulated frequency-division multiplexed (AM-FDM) optical transmission systems are strongly demanded for cable television (CATV) networks because of their compatibility with current coaxial systems.1 In these systems, 1.3-μm-wavelenth low-distortion distributed-feedback (DFB) laser diodes (LD’s) with high fiber-output are important light sources for long-distance high-density multiple-channel transmission. Multiple-quantum-well (MQW) DFB lasers are expected to implrove on these characteristics as compared with conventional DFB lasers. In a MQW LD, a smaller spatial hole-burning effect and higher resonant relaxation frequency owing to the quantum-size effect favor low-distortion operation,2 and low internal loss owing to a smaller confinement factor facilitates high output power.3 We report on a 1.3-μm-wavelength MQW-DFB LD and its analog multichannel transmission characteristics for the first time.