Influence of a weak optical feedback on the spectral characteristics of a semiconductor laser for sensing applications

Gregory Mourat; Noel Servagent; Thierry M. Bosch

doi:10.1117/12.326626

8 October 1998 Influence of a weak optical feedback on the spectral characteristics of a semiconductor laser for sensing applications

Gregory Mourat, Noel Servagent, Thierry M. Bosch

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 3415, Laser Diodes and Applications III; (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.326626
Event: Lasers and Materials in Industry and Opto-Contact Workshop, 1998, Quebec, Canada

Abstract

The self-mixing interference is a physical phenomenon well- adapted for sensing applications like range finding or vibration measurements. The optical beam back-scattered by the target into the laser cavity causes fluctuations of the optical output power which allow to determine distances (when the laser wavelength is tuned by a triangular signal) or displacements (for a constant injection current). In this paper, the influence of a weak optical feedback on the spectral characteristics of a semiconductor laser is analyzed for relative and absolute distance measurements. To determine the coherence length of laser diodes with optical feedback, i.e. the maximum range of self-mixing based sensors, the behavior of the spectral linewidth is investigated both theoretically and experimentally. Measurements of the spectral linewidth for several feedback level are made with a Fabry-Perot interferometer. These results are then compared to the theoretical model. The wavelength shift of a Fabry-Perot semiconductor laser due to a current modulation is also studied in the case of a weak feedback. Indeed, the resolution of a self-mixing based laser range finder can be improved by tuning continuously the optical frequency in the greatest region without mode hops. This maximum tuning range without mode hops obviously depends on each laser source but is also modified by the optical feedback. The main characteristics of semiconductor lasers suitable for sensing applications using the self- mixing interference are then deduced.

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Gregory Mourat, Noel Servagent, and Thierry M. Bosch "Influence of a weak optical feedback on the spectral characteristics of a semiconductor laser for sensing applications", Proc. SPIE 3415, Laser Diodes and Applications III, (8 October 1998); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.326626

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