Optical communications technology is growing increasingly in importance, with a rapid pace of development. Innovative optical devices have emerged from the integration of semiconductor laser diodes with optical waveguide technology. This well-researched text traces the evolution of semiconductor laser amplifiers (SLAs) from these technologies. Focusing on the principle applications of SLAs, the author illustrates the growing importance of these functional components in the future of optical communications systems. Featuring:

• The major advantages of the basic static design of laser diode amplifiers
• Systematic analysis of signal and noise properties, including gain, bandwidth and saturation power
• The implications of SLAs on optical fibre system performance
• A new technique for analysing SLAs using an equivalent circuit model
• Extensive end-of-chapter references

Fundamentals of Laser Diode Amplifiers will provide engineering students with a basic understanding of optical amplification through the analysis of the performance characteristics of SLAs in theory and in application. Practising devic e engineers wishing to consolidate their knowledge in lightwave technology will also find this work an invaluable reference.