A tool to calculate the linewidth of complicated semiconductor lasers

A theory of the low-frequency phase fluctuations in the output of a semiconductor laser due to spontaneous emission is developed. The theory can be used as a tool to numerically calculate the linewidth of complicated laser structures, e.g., by use of the transfer matrix formulation. The results for the single Fabry-Perot laser are shown to be in exact agreement with the most accurate treatments published so far. Results are then presented for both DFB and F-P lasers with external optical feedback showing how the linewidth varies with the threshold gain, with the coupling coefficient, and with the external feedback conditions.