Circuit Model for the Effect of Nonradiative Recombination in a High-Speed Distributed-Feedback Laser

Based on single-mode rate equations, we present an improved equivalent-circuit model for distributed-feedback (DFB) lasers that accounts for the effects of parasitic parameters and nonradiative recombination. This equivalent-circuit model is composed of a parasitic circuit, an electrical circuit, an optical circuit, and a phase circuit, modeling the circuit equations transformed from the rate equations. The validity of the proposed circuit model is verified by comparing simulation results to measured results. The results show that the slope efficiency and threshold current of the model are 0.22 W/A and 13 mA respectively. It is also shown that increasing bias current results in the increase of the relaxation-oscillation frequency. Moreover, we show that the larger the bias current, the lower the frequency chirp, increasing the possibility of extending the transmission distance of an optical-fiber communication system. The results indicate that the proposed circuit model can accurately predict a DFB laser’s static and dynamic characteristics.