Optical Pulse source

摘要

An optical pulse source includes a gain-switched semiconductor laser diode (1). Light from a continuous wave source (3) is optically coupled into the laser cavity. Light output from the laser cavity passes through an electro-optic amplitude modulator (2). Synchronised modulating signals are applied to the semiconductor diode and to the amplitude modulator. The source outputs short low-jitter optical pulses and is suitable for use, for example, in a broadband optical network operating at high bit rates of 100 Gbit/s or more, or in an optical interconnect.