DIRECT MODULATION AND OPTICAL CONFINEMENT FACTOR MODULATION OF SEMICONDUCTOR-LASERS

A method for modulation of semiconductor lasers is demonstrated. The m ethod is based on the modulation of the optical confinement factor. Us ing this method an enhanced -3-dB bandwidth is observed in agreement w ith the small signal rate equation analysis. A modulation response tha t drops at high frequencies slower than the conventional direct curren t modulation response is achieved. This supports the theoretical predi ctions, showing an intrinsic 1/f decay race for the optical confinemen t factor modulation scheme versus an intrinsic 1/f(2) decay for direct modulation.