Measurement and characterization of laser chirp of multiquantum-well distributed-feedback lasers

Measurements of relative intensity noise and modulation response, before an d after propagation in optical fiber, of the output held of multiquantum-we ll distributed-feedback (MQW-DFB) lasers are used to determine the influenc e of the intraband damping mechanisms, the DFB structure and the carrier tr ansport and carrier capture into the QW's on the laser chirp. The power dep endence of the linewidth enhancement factor is shown to explain the saturat ion of the laser linewidth at high optical powers.