Spectral and output power dynamics of a laser diode in an optical feedback confocal microscope
Abstract
The optical-feedback laser confocal microscope (OFCM) that uses the laser diode (LD) both as a light source and detector offers attractive features like simplicity of design, compactness, and ease of alignment. However, the possible limitation of this approach is in the nonlinear response of the LD to optical feedback. In this paper, we analyze the spectral and power output behavior of the LD in OFCM. Experimental results on the power output behavior are obtained and compared with the theoretical predictions of the Lang-Kobayashi model with the inclusion of multiple reflections. The LD spectral output along the axial response of OFCM are also measured and analyzed.