Directly Modulated Semiconductor Lasers

This paper presents a review and discussion of the directly modulated semiconductor lasers and their applications to optical communications and microwave photonics. A detailed and comprehensive demonstration of directly modulated semiconductor lasers from development history to specific techniques on measurement, analysis, and packaging is provided for the first time to the best of our knowledge. A few typical applications based on directly modulated lasers are also illustrated, such as optical fiber communications, free-space optical communications and microwave photonics. Future directions of research are also highlighted.