Simple picosecond pulse generation scheme for injection lasers

A simple scheme is reported for generating picosecond optical pulses from injection lasers based on short electrical pulse excitation. An integrated step recovery diode impulse-train generator (‘comb’ generator) which gives 50 ps 25 V electrical pulses at 200 to 500 MHz rates is used to drive the injection lasers. Optical pulses as short as 40 ps are generated by the corresponding electrical drive pulses.