Optical pulse transmitter

摘要

It is disclosed a method for driving a laser diode such as to enable mitigation or elimination of so called spiking effects related to the number of injected carriers in the laser overshooting the equilibrium value at the beginning of the lasing process. In this manner, among other things, the efficiency of a master oscillator power amplifier that may be utilized in range finding applications will be improved. It is further disclosed an optical pulse transmitter comprising such a laser diode.

主权项

1. A method of driving a laser diode, the method comprising:
generating a pre-drive signal; generating a main drive signal, wherein the generating a pre-drive signal generates the pre-drive signal such that the current level of the pre-drive signal is kept at a value equal to or higher than the laser current threshold value for such duration of time that the number of carriers injected in the laser approaches an equilibrium level before the main drive signal is applied; and applying the pre-drive signal and the main drive signal to the laser diode, wherein said pre-drive signal mitigates spiking effects in the laser optical output.