Frequency stabilisation of semiconductor lasers for heterodyne-type optical communication systems

Abstract

In the somewhat distant future, heterodyne-type optical communications will appear, increasing channel capacity and repeater separation. At present, the greatest difficulty is the frequency drift of lasers. The letter describes an a.f.c. (automatic frequency control) experiment using a Peltier cooling element; it is shown that the frequency fluctuation can be reduced to below 10 MHz.