Optical Communications Questions and Answers – Optical Sources : Laser Basics

This set of Optical Communications Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses on “Optical Sources : Laser Basics”.

1. A device which converts electrical energy in the form of a current into optical energy is called as ___________
a) Optical source
b) Optical coupler
c) Optical isolator
d) Circulator
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: An Optical source is an active component in an optical fiber communication system. It converts electrical energy into optical energy and allows the light output to be efficiently coupled into the Optical fiber.

2. How many types of sources of optical light are available?
a) One
b) Two
c) Three
d) Four
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: Three main types of optical light sources are available. These are wideband sources, monochromatic incoherent sources. Ideally the optical source should be linear.

3. The frequency of the absorbed or emitted radiation is related to difference in energy E between the higher energy state E2 and the lower energy state E1. State what h stands for in the given equation?

E = E2 - E1 = hf
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a) Gravitation constant
b) Planck’s constant
c) Permittivity
d) Attenuation constant
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: In the given equation, difference in the energy E is directly proportional to the absorbed frequency (f) where h is used as a constant and is called as Planck’s constant. The value of h is measured in Joules/sec & is given by-
h = 6.626×10-34Js.

4. The radiation emission process (emission of a proton at frequency) can occur in __________ ways.
a) Two
b) Three
c) Four
d) One
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: The emission process can occur in two ways. First is by spontaneous emission in which the atom returns to the lower energy state in a random manner. Second is by stimulated emission where the energy of a photon is equal to the energy difference and it interacts with the atom in the upper state causing it to return to the lower state along with the creation of a new photon.
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5. Which process gives the laser its special properties as an optical source?
a) Dispersion
b) Stimulated absorption
c) Spontaneous emission
d) Stimulated emission
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: In Stimulated emission, the photon produced is of the same energy to the one which cause it. Hence, the light associated with stimulated photon is in phase and has same polarization. Therefore, in contrast to spontaneous emission, coherent radiation is obtained. The coherent radiation phenomenon in laser provides amplification thereby making laser a better optical source than LED.

6. An incandescent lamp is operating at a temperature of 1000K at an operating frequency of 5.2×1014 Hz. Calculate the ratio of stimulated emission rate to spontaneous emission rate.
a) 3×10-13
b) 1.47×10-11
c) 2×10-12
d) 1.5×10-13
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: The ratio of the stimulated emission rate to the spontaneous emission rate is given by-
Stimulated emission rate/ Spontaneous emission rate = 1/exp (hf/KT)-1.
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7. The lower energy level contains more atoms than upper level under the conditions of ________________
a) Isothermal packaging
b) Population inversion
c) Thermal equilibrium
d) Pumping
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: Under the conditions of thermal equilibrium, the lower energy level contains more atoms than the upper level. To achieve optical amplification, it is required to create a non-equilibrium distribution such that the population of upper energy level is more than the lower energy level. This process of excitation of atoms into the upper level is achieved by using an external energy source and is called as pumping.

8. __________________ in the laser occurs when photon colliding with an excited atom causes the stimulated emission of a second photon.
a) Light amplification
b) Attenuation
c) Dispersion
d) Population inversion
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: Laser emits coherent radiation of one or more discrete wavelength. Lasers produce coherent light through a process called stimulated emission. Light amplification is obtained through stimulated emission. Continuation of this process creates avalanche multiplication.
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9. A ruby laser has a crystal of length 3 cm with a refractive index of 1.60, wavelength 0.43 μm. Determine the number of longitudinal modes.
a) 1×102
b) 3×106
c) 2.9×105
d) 2.2×105
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: The number of longitudinal modes is given by-
q = 2nL/λ
Where
q = Number of longitudinal modes
n = Refractive index
L = Length of the crystal
λ = Peak emission wavelength.

10. A semiconductor laser crystal of length 5 cm, refractive index 1.8 is used as an optical source. Determine the frequency separation of the modes.
a) 2.8 GHz
b) 1.2 GHz
c) 1.6 GHz
d) 2 GHz
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: The modes of laser are separated by a frequency internal δf and this separation is given by-
δf = c/2nL
Where
c = velocity of light
n = Refractive index
L = Length of the crystal.

11. Doppler broadening is a homogeneous broadening mechanism.
a) True
b) False
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: Doppler broadening is a inhomogeneous broadening mechanism. In this broadening, the individual groups of atoms have different apparent resonance frequencies. Atomic collisions usually provide homogeneous broadening as each atom in collection has same resonant frequency and spectral spread.

12. An injection laser has active cavity losses of 25 cm-1 and the reflectivity of each laser facet is 30%. Determine the laser gain coefficient for the cavity it has a length of 500μm.
a) 46 cm-1
b) 51 cm-1
c) 50 cm-1
d) 49.07 cm-1
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: The laser gain coefficient is equivalent to the threshold gain per unit length and is given by –
gth = α + 1/L ln (1/r)
Where
α = active cavity loss
L = Length of the cavity
r = reflectivity.

13. Longitudinal modes contribute only a single spot of light to the laser output.
a) True
b) False
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: Laser emission includes the longitudinal modes and transverse modes. Transverse modes give rise to a pattern of spots at the output. Longitudinal modes give only a spot of light to the output.

14. Considering the values given below, calculate the mode separation in terms of free space wavelength for a laser. (Frequency separation = 2GHz, Wavelength = 0.5 μm)
a) 1.4×10-11
b) 1.6×10-12
c) 1×10-12
d) 6×10-11
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: The mode separation in terms of free space wavelength is given by-
δλ = λ2/c δf
Where
δf = frequency separation
λ = wavelength
c = velocity of light.

Sanfoundry Global Education & Learning Series – Optical Communications.

To practice all areas of Optical Communications, here is complete set of 1000+ Multiple Choice Questions and Answers.

If you find a mistake in question / option / answer, kindly take a screenshot and email to [email protected]

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Manish Bhojasia, a technology veteran with 20+ years @ Cisco & Wipro, is Founder and CTO at Sanfoundry. He lives in Bangalore, and focuses on development of Linux Kernel, SAN Technologies, Advanced C, Data Structures & Alogrithms. Stay connected with him at LinkedIn.

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