Dynamics of mode-locked laser diodes employing a repetitive short pulse drive current

A novel noniterative modeling technique is described and used to simulate the characteristics of a laser diode source which is mode-locked by a train of short current pulses produced by a comb generator. The basic experimental setup is described, as are the modeling process and a comparison of model predictions and experimental observations. It is shown that the predictions of the numerical model which uses only a single fitting parameter, the coupling efficiency of the laser diode to an external grating, are in good agreement with the measured mode-locking characteristics.