Methods And Devices For Evaluating The Operating Characteristics Of A DBR Laser Diode

A method of evaluating the operating characteristics of a DBR laser diode comprising a phase control section, a DBR section comprising a Bragg mirror, and a gain section, the method comprising:

• injecting a diagnostic current into the phase control section of the DBR laser, wherein the diagnostic current is sufficient to generate amplified spontaneous emission of light in the phase control section such that the light emitted from the phase control section is absorbed by the DBR section or the gain section of the DBR laser;
• measuring photo current in the DBR section or the gain section generated by the light absorbed therein;
• and
• correlating the photo current measured in the DBR section or 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 when it departs from a given photo current metric by more than an acceptable amount and is correlated with a certified operating characteristic when it departs from the given photo current metric by an acceptable amount.

A burn-in device for evaluating the operating characteristics of a DBR laser diode, wherein:

• the DBR laser diode comprises a phase control section, a DBR section comprising a Bragg mirror, and a gain section;
• the burn-in device is programmed to inject electrical currents into the DBR laser diode at levels exceeding normal operating conditions of the DBR laser diode;
• and
• the burn-in device is further programmed to
• inject a diagnostic current into the phase control section of the DBR laser, wherein the diagnostic current is sufficient to generate amplified spontaneous emission of light in the phase control section such that the light emitted from the phase control section is absorbed by the DBR section or the gain section of the DBR laser,
• measure photo current in the DBR section or the gain section generated by the light absorbed therein, and
• correlate the photo current measured in the DBR section or 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 when it departs from a given photo current metric by more than an acceptable amount and is correlated with a certified operating characteristic when it departs from the given photo current metric by an acceptable amount.

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, wherein the diagnostic current comprises a radiative component that is sufficient to generate amplified spontaneous emission of light in the wavelength tuning section and a non-radiative component that increases with laser degradation;
• measuring increases in the non-radiative component of the diagnostic current by monitoring a voltage component of the diagnostic current injected into the wavelength tuning section of the DBR laser as a function of time;
• and
• correlating the voltage component of the diagnostic current with an evaluation of the operating characteristics of the DBR laser diode, wherein the voltage component is correlated with a substandard operating characteristic when it departs from a given voltage metric by more than an acceptable amount and is correlated with a certified operating characteristic when it departs from the given voltage metric by an acceptable amount.

A burn-in device for evaluating the operating characteristics of a DBR laser diode, wherein:

• the DBR laser diode comprises a phase control section, a DBR section comprising a Bragg mirror, and a gain section;
• the burn-in device is programmed to inject electrical currents into the DBR laser diode at levels exceeding normal operating conditions of the DBR laser diode;
• and
• the burn-in device is further programmed to
• inject a diagnostic current into the wavelength tuning section of the DBR laser, wherein the diagnostic current comprises a radiative component that is sufficient to generate amplified spontaneous emission of light in the wavelength tuning section and a non-radiative component that increases with laser degradation;
• measure increases in the non-radiative component of the diagnostic current by monitoring a voltage component of the diagnostic current injected into the wavelength tuning section of the DBR laser as a function of time;
• and
• correlate the voltage component of the diagnostic current with an evaluation of the operating characteristics of the DBR laser diode, wherein the voltage component is correlated with a substandard operating characteristic when it departs from a given voltage metric by more than an acceptable amount and is correlated with a certified operating characteristic when it departs from the given voltage metric by an acceptable amount.