Abstract

Recent achievements in optical amplifiers revitalize the practicality of wavelength-division-multiplexing (WDM) systems. However, WDM systems require long-term wavelength stability of transmitter laser to avoid cross talk. Various frequency-stabilization schemes have been proposed.^1,2 However, frequency stabilization increases cost and complexity. Recently, it has been reported that the aging-induced wavelength shifts of six commercial 1.5-μm distributed-feedback (DFB) transmitter lasers over a period of 16 months were measured to be negligible (<0.03 Å).³ In this paper we report our extensive investigation on the aging-induced wavelength shifts in 1.5-μm DFB lasers.

© 1994 Optical Society of America