Dynamic Characteristics and Linewidth Enhancement Factor of Quantum-Dot Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers

Abstract—This study explores the relative intensity noise char-acteristics of quantum-dot vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (QD VCSELs). The resonance frequency and eye diagram are pre-sented. The linewidth enhancement factor (α factor) of QD VC-SEL is also investigated experimentally. The values of α factor were measured to be between 0.48 and 0.60. Moreover, a photonic RF phase shifter is examined using the QD VCSEL. A phase shifter with a total phase shift of 2π was demonstrated. These investiga-tions and demonstrations will be useful in the field of QD VCSEL. Index Terms—Linewidth enhancement factor, quantum dot (QD), relative intensity noise (RIN), vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL). I