Transfer function of analog fiber-optic systems driven by Fabry-Perot lasers

Abstract
We present a theoretical model that describes with great precision the effect of fiber chromatic dispersion over the transfer function of an analog fiber system driven by a Fabry-Perot (FP) semiconductor laser. Experimental results confirm the validity of the developed model. In essence the impact of chromatic dispersion manifests in three ways. First, there is a carrier suppression (or fading) effect that is also present when a single-mode laser is employed. Second, there is a transversal filtering effect owing to the fact that the FP laser modes experience different propagation delays. Third, there is a low-pass effect owing to the linewidth of the longitudinal modes.