Generation of wavelength-tunable optical pulses using EDFA as external-injection light source and amplifier for Fabry-Perot laser diode

Abstract

We propose and experimentally demonstrate a system for the generation of wavelength-tunable pulses using a gain-switched Fabry-Perot laser diode (FPLD) and an erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA). The EDFA is used as both an external-injection light source and an amplifier for the FPLD. The wavelength tuning is achieved by a tunable filter. The optical sidemode suppression ratio of this system is better than 32 dB over the wavelength-tunable range of 34.5 nm. Moreover, the repetition frequency is 2000 MHz, and the pulsewidth is between 49.3 and 65.3 ps. The whole system is simple and can be easily constructed.