Patent ID: 8103468
Filing Date: 2012-01-24
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
1. A method of evaluating the operating characteristics of a DBR laser diode comprising a wavelength tuning section and a gain section, the method comprising: injecting a diagnostic current into the wavelength tuning section of the DBR laser diode, wherein the diagnostic current generates amplified spontaneous emission of light in the wavelength tuning section and the bandgap of the wavelength tuning section is larger than that of the gain section such that the light emitted from the wavelength tuning section is absorbed by the gain section; measuring photo current in the gain section generated by the light absorbed in the gain section; and correlating the photo current measured in the gain section with an evaluation of the operating characteristics of the DBR laser diode, wherein the measured photo current is correlated with a substandard operating characteristic or a certified operating characteristic depending upon the degree to which the measured photo current departs from a given photo current metric.