Steven H. Pepper

Comparison of fast photodetector response measurements by optical heterodyne and pulse response techniques

Characterization of high-speed photodetectors by optical heterodyne and pulse response techniques is reported, and the results are compared. Scalar deconvolution was used to obtain photodetector response from the pulse response measurements with effects of the measurement apparatus removed. Linearity of the detector response is verified, validating comparison in the frequency domain using a Fourier transform of the pulse response data. The comparison is limited to the magnitude of the transfer function in the frequency domain, since the optical heterodyne technique does not give phase information. Both sets of results are corrected for the effects of their respective measurement systems. After these corrections, close agreement between results obtained by using the two techniques was found. >

Vector characterization of photodetectors, photoreceivers, and optical pulse sources by time-domain pulse response measurements

Deconvolution of measurement system effects from pulse response measurements is demonstrated to yield reproducible, accurate characterization of the impulse response (and vector frequency response) of a photodetector or photoreceiver, as well as the intensity waveform of an optical pulse. Calibration is based on a 40 GHz and an optical pulse source to >30 GHz are demonstrated. Calibration and effects of noise are discussed. >