A Model for the Above-Threshold Spectra of Truncated-Well Distributed-Feedback Lasers

A detailed model for the above-threshold spectra of truncated-well distributed-feedback lasers is presented. Techniques are reported for fitting the model to experimental data. Using these techniques, the above threshold model is shown to predict correctly the evolution of below-threshold spectra to above threshold spectra. Key differences between below- and above-threshold spectra are identified and are shown to be a result of spatial hole burning. Estimations are obtained for the distribution of carriers longitudinally, for the longitudinal refractive index profile and for the longitudinally variant spontaneous emission rate in a laser by fitting the model to spectral data. Finally, the role of the standing wave in truncated-well distributed-feedback lasers is examined and is shown to be significant.