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Characteristics of Light Source of Communication

This document discusses optical sources used in optical transmitters. It describes two main types of optical sources - light emitting diodes (LEDs) and lasers. LEDs operate by emitting photons when a PN junction is forward biased, while lasers emit a coherent, highly directional beam through stimulated emission in a resonance cavity. The document lists several important characteristics for optical sources used in optical communication links, including operating continuously over a range of temperatures, emitting at wavelengths where fiber has low loss and dispersion, allowing direct modulation over a wide bandwidth, and having high coupling efficiency and reliability.

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Anbarasan Ramamoorthy
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89 views1 page

Characteristics of Light Source of Communication

This document discusses optical sources used in optical transmitters. It describes two main types of optical sources - light emitting diodes (LEDs) and lasers. LEDs operate by emitting photons when a PN junction is forward biased, while lasers emit a coherent, highly directional beam through stimulated emission in a resonance cavity. The document lists several important characteristics for optical sources used in optical communication links, including operating continuously over a range of temperatures, emitting at wavelengths where fiber has low loss and dispersion, allowing direct modulation over a wide bandwidth, and having high coupling efficiency and reliability.

Uploaded by

Anbarasan Ramamoorthy
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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UNIT 3 OPTICAL SOURCES

3.1 INTRODUCTION
Optical transmitter coverts electrical input signal into corresponding optical signal. The
optical signal is then launched into the fiber. Optical source is the major component in an
optical
transmitter.
LED (Light Emitting Diode) and LASER (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of
Radiation) are the devices that are used widely as optical sources.
3.1.1 Characteristics of Light Source of Communication
To be useful in an optical link, a light source needs the following characteristics:
1. It must be possible to operate the device continuously at a variety of
temperatures for many years.
2. Emit light at wavelength where fiber has low losses and low dispersion.
3. Must have high intensity light output.
4. Their light must be nearly monochromatic as much as possible.
5. Allow direct modulation over wide bandwidth.
6. For fiber links, the wavelength of the output should coincide with one of
transmission windows for the fiber type used.
7. The power requirement for its operation must be low.
8. High coupling efficiency, optical output power and reliability.
9. Low weight and low cost.
3.2 Semiconductor Light Sources
A PN junction (that consists of direct band gap semiconductor materials)
acts as the active or recombination region.
When the PN junction is forward biased, electrons and holes recombine
either radiatively (emitting photons) or non-radiatively (emitting heat).
This is simple LED operation.
In a LASER, the photon is further processed in a resonance cavity to
achieve a coherent, highly directional optical beam with narrow linewidth
3.2.1 Review of Semiconductor Physics
Energy level diagrams showing the excitation of an electron from the
valence band to the conduction band. The resultant free electron can
freely move under the application of electric field.
Equal electron & hole concentrations in an intrinsic semiconductor created
by the thermal excitation of electrons across the band gap

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