Detectorless measurements of the operational linewidth of NIR VCSELs by self-mixing interferometry

Abstract

Self-mixing based on vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) offers a compact and low-cost coherent detection scheme for interferometric accessible measurements. The direct detection of the change in the junction voltage, in contrast to the traditional optical detection method by means of an external photodiode, further simplifies the setup by adding detector-less capability. The linewidth of an NIR VCSEL was estimated by using the method based on the statistical analysis of the laser self-mixing fringe period in the moderate feedback regime. We investigate the junction voltage noise and optical power noise, simultaneously acquired, in order to establish the best operational condition for both detection schemes. When comparing the laser linewidth measured by the traditional optical power modulation with that of the detector-less voltage self-mixing signal, the agreement is within the experimental errors.