Transmitters of array-type LDs using side-mode injection locking for high-speed LAN

This paper describes a study of transmitters of array-type Fabry-Perot laser diodes (FP-LDs) using side-mode injection locking. The transmitters are assumed to use in the previously proposed high-speed local area network (LAN), Para-Wave NET. Parallel optical transmission with a fiber ribbon and wavelength routing is used in the network. Array-type LDs must be simultaneously injection locked and then switched to another wavelength. The simultaneous injection locking and the wavelength switching have been investigated both experimentally and theoretically. We estimate acceptable cavity length deviation of LDs in an array by considering locking ranges. It is desirable to emit no power from an LD during switching or in the case of no-sending packets. However, it emits unnecessary power in the case of free running states. Two possible methods to suppress free running states are investigated.