Abstract: A method of characterizing a tunable semiconductor laser diode by varying the laser tuning currents of a section, and measuring the output power transmitted by the laser through a wavelength discriminating device (WDD), in such a way that determines the currents needed to optimize the laser output within the passband of the WDD. A preferably employed method is to align the laser to the center of the passband, in order to maximize transmission. Since the laser alignment is performed relative to the spectral response curve of the WDD, there is no need to know the actual wavelength, either of the laser, or of the WDD. The WDD may be a multiplexer, a demultiplexer, an optical filter, or even a complete communications channel. The latter case thus constitutes a method of optimizing the performance of an optical communications channel by optimizing the wavelength of its laser source to the channel.

Abstract: A method for characterizing tunable semiconductor laser diodes in which the laser is stimulated in a way that discloses the optical properties and tuning current dependency of the individual sections of the laser, separately for each section, and independently of the other sections. A section of the laser is current modulated in order to excite a continuum of modes related to the spectral response of other sections. This process is observed by viewing the overall spectral response at an integration time significantly longer than the modulation time. The spectral positions of the modes and their dependence on the tuning current, are used to determine the tuning characteristic of that particular section. This method substantially reduces the time required for characterization of such lasers in comparison with prior art methods.

Abstract: A method of characterizing a tunable semiconductor laser diode by varying the laser tuning currents of a section, and measuring the output power transmitted by the laser through a wavelength discriminating device (WDD), in such a way that determines the currents needed to optimize the laser output within the passband of the WDD. A preferably employed method is to align the laser to the center of the passband, in order to maximize transmission. Since the laser alignment is performed relative to the spectral response curve of the WDD, there is no need to know the actual wavelength, either of the laser, or of the WDD. The WDD may be a multiplexer, a demultiplexer, an optical filter, or even a complete communications channel. The latter case thus constitutes a method of optimizing the performance of an optical communications channel by optimizing the wavelength of its laser source to the channel.

Abstract: A method for characterizing tunable semiconductor laser diodes in which the laser is stimulated in a way that discloses the optical properties and tuning current dependency of the individual sections of the laser, separately for each section, and independently of the other sections. A section of the laser is current modulated in order to excite a continuum of modes related to the spectral response of other sections. This process is observed by viewing the overall spectral response at an integration time significantly longer than the modulation time. The spectral positions of the modes and their dependence on the tuning current, are used to determine the tuning characteristic of that particular section. This method substantially reduces the time required for characterization of such lasers in comparison with prior art methods.