Theoretical investigation into spectral characteristics of a semiconductor laser with dual-FBG external cavity

A new theoretical model of the dual-FBG external cavity based on the couple-mode theory has been proposed for controlling the output spectral characteristics of the semiconductor laser with dual-FBG external cavity. The output spectral characteristics have been studied through the analyses of the external cavity length, the FBG length and the fiber length between the two FBGs. The results reveal that the side mode suppression ratio (SMSR), the full wave at half maximum (FWHM), the longitudinal mode interval (LMI) and the stability of the central wavelength are mainly determined by the effective external transmissivity, the fiber length between the two FBGs and the external cavity length, respectively. Furthermore, the rising/falling tendencies of the SMSR and the FWHM are exactly opposite. There exist the maximum of the SMSR and the minimum of the FWHM in a semiconductor laser with dual-FBG external cavity. The increase of the fiber length between the two FBGs results in the exponential decrease of the LMI. The increase of the external cavity length leads to the better stability of the central wavelength.

Research Highlights
► The rising/falling tendencies of the SMSR and the FWHM are exactly opposite.
► There are theoretical limits of the SMSR and the FWHM.
► The mode-locking characteristics are determined by the external transmittivity.
► The length increase between the 2 FBGs results in the exponential decrease of LMI.
► The increase of external cavity length leads to the better wavelength stability.