Modulation Performance of Three-Section Integrated MOPAs for Pseudorandom Lidar.

The suitability of a three-section master oscillator power amplifier for pseudorandom lidar is investigated by means of the experimental characterization and analysis of its emission characteristics under modulation. The proposed architecture consists of a distributed feedback laser, a modulation section, and a tapered semiconductor optical amplifier. The modulation section acts as an absorber or amplifier when driven at zero or positive bias. Under pseudorandom modulation at 25 Mb/s, a high optical modulation amplitude and extinction ratio were achieved. The characterization of the emission spectra under modulation revealed typical features of frequency modulation due to the carrier-induced refractive index changes. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]