Optical Source

Main function
• Convert electrical energy into optical energy (with the condition that light output to be
effectively launched or coupled into optical fiber)

Types
• Wideband continuous spectra (incandescent lamps)
• Monochromatic incoherent ( LEDs)
• Monochromatic coherent (LDs)
Requirements

• Size and configuration compatible with launching light into the fiber (light should be
highly directional)

• Should be linear (accurately track the electrical input signal, minimize the distortion
& noise)

• Emit light at wavelengths where fiber has low losses, dispersion and where detectors
are efficient

• Capable of simple signal modulation (direct modulation) ranging from audio

frequencies to GHz range

• Should couple sufficient optical power to overcome attenuation in the fiber

• Should have narrow spectral bandwidth (line width) to minimize dispersion

• Must be capable of maintaining stable optical output (that does not change with
ambient conditions)

• Should be comparatively cheap and highly reliable to compete with conventional

transmission techniques

Absorption and emission of radiation

The interaction of light with matter takes place in discrete packets of energy or quanta, called
photons. The absorption and emission of light causes them to make a transition from one state of
energy to another.

E = E2 – E1 = hf

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Surface emitting LED (SLED):

1. SLED operates at 850 nm wavelength.

2. SLED is a five layered double hetro-junction on device consisting of a GaAs and GaA1As layers.
3. The plane of the active light emitting region is oriented perpendicularly to the axis of the fiber.
4. From the substrate of the device, a well is etched.
5. Fibers are cemented in the well to accept the emitted light.
6. The circular active area in practical surface emitters is normally 50 in diameter and up to 2.5
thick.
7. SLED has a low thermal impedance in the active region which allows high current densities and
gives high radiance emission into the optical fiber.
8. The isotropic pattern from a surface emitter LED is lamberitian pattern in which source is equally
bright when viewed from any

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Edge Emitter LED: It consists of an active junction region which is a source of incoherent light and
the two guiding layers. The refractive index of both guiding layers is lower than that of the active region
but higher than refractive index of the surrounding material. Length of the active regions range from
100 to 150 . The emission pattern of edge emitter is more directional than that of surface emitters.
Most of the propagating light is emitted at ore and face due to a reflector on the other end face and an
antireflection coating on the emitting end face.

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 LED

Normally constructed of (Direct Gap):

GaAs, GaAsP , GaP :

Recombination→light

Si and Ge are not suitable because of indirect band.→ recombination result heat

LED

• Operates at lower current densities

• Emitted photons have random phases
• Incoherent light source
LED Drawbacks
• Lower coupling efficiency
• Lower modulation bandwidth
• Harmonic distortion

LED Advantages

• Simpler fabrication
• No mirror facets
• Lower cost
• Because of simpler fabrication
• Higher reliability
• no catastrophe degradation

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 • Less sensitive to gradual degradation
• Less temperature dependent
• Output against current characteristics less affected by temp
• Simpler drive circuitry
• Due to lower derive current and reduced temperature dependence
• We do not need temperature compensation circuits
• Linearity
• Linear output against current characteristics

LED Power & Efficiency

• LEDs tend to limit internal quantum efficiency ηint (Ratio of photons generated to injected electrons)
• Reliance on spontaneous emission allows non-radiative recombination
• Crystalline imperfections and impurities
• ηint at the best is 50% as compared to 60% to 80% for ILD
LED Structures
• Five major types
• Planar LED and Dome LED
• Used in applications as plastic encapsulated visible devices
• Infrared version also available
• Surface emitter, Edge emitter and Super-luminescent LEDs
• First two extensively used in optical fiber communication while the third is becoming of increasing
interest

Light-emitting diodes use GaAlAs (gallium aluminum arsenide) for short-wavelength devices. Long-
wavelength devices generally incorporate InGaAsP (indium gallium arsenide phosphide). LEDs and
laser diodes are very similar devices. In fact, when operating below their threshold current, all laser
diodes act as LEDs.

LED Types

There are two basic types of LED structures: edge emitters and surface emitters.
- LED Structures

Expression for internal quantum efficiency, power and external quantum efficiency of LEDS

The internal quantum efficiency in the active region is the fraction of electron hole pairs that
recombine radiatively. It is the ratio of the radiative recombination rate to total recombination rate

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External quantum efficiency: It is defined as ratio of photons emitted from LED to number of
internally generated photons. To find external efficiency take into account reflection effects at surface
of LED.

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 Comparison of LEDs and Lasers

Characteristics LEDs Lasers

Linearly proportional to drive Proportional to current above
Output Power current the threshold

Drive Current: 50 to 100 mA Threshold Current: 5 to 40

Current
Peak mA

Coupled Power Moderate High

Slower Faster
Speed
Higher Lower
Output Pattern
Bandwidth Moderate High

Wavelengths Available 0.66 to 1.65 µm 0.78 to 1.65 µm

Narrower (0.00001 nm to 10
Wider (40-190 nm FWHM)
Spectral Width nm FWHM)

Fiber Type Multimode Only SM, MM

Ease of Use Easier Harder

Lifetime Longer Long

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