ASYMMETRICAL RESPONSE OF SEMICONDUCTOR-LASERS IN OPTICAL-SYSTEMS

The symmetry of the optical outputs of a semiconductor laser diode hav ing front and rear facets with equal reflectivity is destroyed by the injection of a reflected signal, even of weak intensity, from one side : this asymmetry must be taken into account when designing laser packa ges and integrated circuits. A systematic experimental investigation i s presented. Moreover, the behaviour of the system, i.e., the appearan ce of certain asymmetrical features together with the survival of the symmetry of other features, can be accounted for on the basis of a mic roscopic model, providing a link between the optical outputs from the two facets.