Picosecond Chronoscopy Of Mode-Locked Semiconductor Diode Lasers For Applications To Ultrarapid Communications And Data Processing

Recent developments in the generation of bandwidth - limited coherent picosecond pulses from mode-locked semiconductor diode lasers are reported. An essential role was played by picosecond electron-optical chronoscopy diagnostics in perfecting these laser systems which have applications to ultra-rapid (Terrabit) real-time optical communications and optical image and data processing. The synchronously driven streak-camera employed in these investigations has been further developed to obtain both picosecond temporal resolution and direct photomultiplier read out from a single image tube. Advantages include reduction in cost, potentially improved S/N ratio, greater dynamic range, increased "free temporal range" and ultimately improved time-resolution in the subpicosecond regime.