Laser diodes represent a key element in the emerging field of opto-
electronics which includes, for example, optical communication, optical
sensors or optical disc systems. For all these applications, information
is either transmitted, stored or read out. The performance of these
systems depends to a great deal on the performance of the laser diode
with regard to its modulation and noise characteristics. Since the
modulation and noise characteristics of laser diodes are of vital
importance for optoelectronic systems, the need for a book arises that
concentrates on this subject. This book thus closes the gap between
books on the device physics of semiconductor lasers and books on system
design. Complementary to the specific topics concerning modulation and
noise, the first part of this book reviews the basic laser
characteristics, so that even a reader without detailed knowledge of
laser diodes may follow the text. In order to understand the book, the
reader should have a basic knowledge of electronics, semiconductor
physics and optical communica- tions. The work is primarily written for
the engineer or scientist working in the field of optoelectronics;
however, since the book is self-contained and since it contains a lot of
numerical examples, it may serve as a textbook for graduate students. In
the field of laser diode modulation and noise a vast amount has been
published during recent years. Even though the book contains more than
600 references, only a small part of the existing literature is
included.
