Linewidth broadening in a distributed feedback laser integrated with a semiconductor optical amplifier

Abstract

The problem of the linewidth degradation in systems using distributed-feedback lasers together with strained-layer multi-quantum-well semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) is examined. A modified expression for the linewidth in the case of anti reflection-coated SOA output facets is derived and simulation results are given in the case of output facets with a nonvanishing reflectivity. A numerical model combining finite-element calculations in the transverse x-y plane and a longitudinal model based on the Green's function method is used for that purpose.