Static and dynamic characteristics of integrated semiconductor optical parametric oscillators

The static and dynamic properties of semiconductor optical parametric oscillators (SOPOs) are studied by merging the rate equations of the diode pump laser with those of the OPO while taking into account the phase and, hence, chirp performance. The static analysis of the SOPO shows two stable regimes of operation, namely, an efficient and an inefficient regime akin to the case for conventional intracavity OPO. The large signal dynamic properties of the SOPO are studied in the two static operating regimes. The study shows that there exists enormous negative and positive frequency chirp in the signal and idler in the order of a few terahertz upon large signal modulation. These characteristics are explained through the well-known properties of the nonlinear gain medium of the OPO. The limitations on using these devices in a directly modulated fashion are discussed. Such limitations are found to be determined largely by the SOPO rise time in certain bias conditions. (C) 2013 Optical Society of America