Optimization algorithm based characterization scheme for tunable semiconductor lasers.

In this paper, an optimization algorithm based characterization scheme for tunable semiconductor lasers is proposed and demonstrated. In the process of optimization, the ratio between the power of the desired frequency and the power except of the desired frequency is used as the figure of merit, which approximately represents the side-mode suppression ratio. In practice, we use tunable optical band-pass and band-stop filters to obtain the power of the desired frequency and the power except of the desired frequency separately. With the assistance of optimization algorithms, such as the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm, we can get stable operation conditions for tunable lasers at designated frequencies directly and efficiently.