Semiconductor Lasers (Second Edition)


Govind P. Agrawal, Professor of Optics, University of Rochester
Niloy K. Dutta, Professor of Physics, University of Connecticut

Published by Kluwer Academic, Hardcover © 1993
ISBN/ISSN: 0-442-01102-4

For comments and corrections, send e-mail to the author at gpa@optics.rochester.edu

Scope

Applications of semiconductor lasers in optical communications and other lightwave technologies have expanded considerably in recent years. This updated edition of the leading guide in the field responds to these developments. It incorporates the latest advances in the design and performance of semiconductor lasers for lightwave transmission systems, and helps engineers design high-quality optical transmitters. While the first edition, published in 1986, focused on long-wavelength semiconductor lasers (mostly InGaAsP lasers), Semiconductor Lasers, Second Edition has been broadened in scope to incorporate all kinds: Short-wavelength lasers, strained-layer quantum-well lasers, phase-shifted and gain-coupled distributed-feedback lasers, surface-emitting semiconductor lasers. Both visible-light and infrared lasers are discussed in detail, and a section on mode-locked semiconductor lasers has been added. Practical guidelines are included on operating characteristics, recombination mechanisms in semiconductors, epitaxical growth techniques, laser structures and their performance, and degradation and reliability. Useul rate equations are also provided to model the performance of semiconductor lasers. The authors, both of whom are well-known experts on semiconductor lasers, explain the theoretical and the practical aspects of semiconductor lasers. They include problems at the end of each chpater to expedite learning. Two hundred illustrations further clarify various aspects of laser design and performance. semiconductor Lasers, Second Edition will help design and applications engineers stay on the cutting edge of semiconductor-laser technology. It will also be a valuable textbook for graduate-level students.

Table of Contents

  • Introduction: Historical perspective; Semiconductor materials; Operating principles; Optical fiber communications; Overview
  • Basic concepts: Introduction; Maxwell's equations; Threshold condition and longitudinal modes; Gain and stimulated emission; Waveguide modes; Emission characteristics
  • Recombination mechanisms in semiconductors: Introduction; Radiative recombination; Nonradiative recombination; Experimental results; Threshold current density; Temperature Dependence of threshold current
  • Epitaxy and material parameters of InGaAsP: Introduction; Liquid-phase epitaxy; Vapor-phase epitaxy; etal-organic vapor-phase epitaxy; Molecular-beam epitaxy; Lattice-mismatch effects; Material parameters; Strained-layer epitaxy
  • Laser structures and their performance: Introduction; Broad-area lasers; Gain-guided lasers; Weakly index-guided lasers; Strongly index-guided lasers; Leakage current; Laser arrays; Surface-normal emitting lasers
  • Rate equations and operating characteristics: Introduction; Rate equations; Steady-state characteristics; Transient response; Noise characteristics; Modulation response; External optical feedback
  • Distributed-feedback semiconductor lasers: Introduction; DFB laser structures; Theory; Performance; DBR lasers; Tunable semiconductor lasers; Transmission experiments
  • Coupled-cavity semiconductor lasers: Introduction; Coupled-cavity schemes; Theory; Operating characteristics; Diverse applications
  • Quantum-well semiconductor lasers: Energy levels; Density of states; Experimental obsservation of confined states; Radiative recombination; Auger recombination; Single-quantum-well and multiquantum-well lasers; MQW laser results; Modulation and noise characteristics; Strained quantum-well lasers
  • Surface-emitting lasers: Introduction; Mirror reflectivity; GaAs-AlGaAs and InGaAs-GaAs surface-emitting lasers; Laser arrays
  • Optical amplifiers: Introduction; General concepts; Semiconductor laser amplifiers; Fiber amplifiers
  • Photonic and optoelectronic integrated circuits: Introduction; Photonic integrated circuits; Optoelectronic integrated circuits (OEICs)
  • Infrared and visible semiconductor lasers: Lead-salt lasers; Materials and physical properties; Band structure; optical gain; Auger recombination; Laser diode fabrication; Laser properties; Tuning characteristics; Other material systems
  • Degradation and reliability: Introduction; Defect formation in the active region; Catastrophic degradation; Degradation of current-confining junctions; Reliability assurance; DFB laser reliability

    • 616 pages
    Dimensions: 6 x 9 INCHES
    Status: Available