Picosecond pulse generation of < 5 ps from gain-switched DFB semiconductor laser diode using linearly step-chirped fibre grating

Abstract
4.4 ps pulses generated from a 1546 nm gain-switched DFB-SLD using a 6 mm long linearly step-chirped fibre grating represent a temporal compression factor of 4.3. The pulse source is stable, compact and dispenses with the dispersion compensating fibre conventionally used for pulse compression.