Tuning Characteristics of DFB Diode Laser and its Application to TDLAS Gas Sensor Design

Abstract

Static and dynamic tuning characteristics of Distribute Feedback (DFB) diode lasers are investigated with practical laser devices. These characteristics are the basic guidelines for practical TDLAS sensors design. Static tuning characteristics help to select suitable diode lasers from limited available laser devices with specific wavelength and to set an appropriate working current and temperature. Dynamic tuning characteristics decide the sweep speed of current slope in both direct absorb Spectroscopy (DAS) and wavelength modulation Spectroscopy (WMS). Because of nonlinearity in the relation between wavelength and tuning current, the measured spectral line position should be corrected by the dynamic characteristics. For WMS, current tuning efficient and IM/AM (Intense modulation/Amplitude modulation) differential phase could be utilized to optimize laser modulation and harmonic components demodulation.