Amplitude and phase noise of frequency combs generated by single-section InAs/InP quantum-dash-based passively and actively mode-locked lasers

We investigate the amplitude and phase noise of an optical frequency comb based on InAs/InP quantum-dash mode-locked laser. The laser demonstrates low relative intensity noise (< -125 dB/Hz) and phase noise in the passive mode-locking regime. By actively mode-locking the laser, we observe a reduction in the flicker FM noise and timing jitter, as a result of which the optical linewidth decreases, and hence the effective bandwidth compatible with optical coherent systems increases by more than 50% to ∼ 1.1 THz.