Abstract
In this paper, the noise properties of vertical cavity semiconductor optical amplifiers (VCSOAs) operated in reflection mode are studied. Expressions for noise sources contributing to the total noise detected at amplifier output are derived, based on the photon statistics master equations. The noise figure, defined as the degradation of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), is analyzed using the assumption that spontaneous emission-signal beat noise dominates. The analysis shows that the noise figure of reflection mode VCSOAs has the same values as that in transmission mode as long as amplifier gain is high (G≫1). Furthermore, simulations depict the dependence of noise figure on device parameters and bias conditions, as well as reveal the importance of the low reflectivity front mirror and the high reflectivity rear mirror for low noise operation. In addition, the noise figure analysis results are compared with experimental measurements, in which amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) power is measured by an optical spectrum analyzer and the noise figure is obtained from the ASE power and the amplifier gain. The measured data are in good agreement with the theoretical predictions.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 506-513 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering |
| Volume | 5111 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2003 |
| Externally published | Yes |
| Event | Fluctuations and Noise in Photonics and Quantum Optics - Santa Fe, NM, United States Duration: Jun 2 2003 → Jun 4 2003 |
Keywords
- Beat noise
- Noise
- Noise figure
- Spontaneous emission
- Vertical-cavity semiconductor optical amplifier
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Computer Science Applications
- Applied Mathematics
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering