title: Magneto-optical disk drive technology using multiple fiber-coupled flying optical heads. Part II. Laser noise considerations.
abstract: A magneto-optical data storage system utilizing single-mode fiber is capable of providing high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) recording if laser noise sources are properly managed. In particular, mode partition noise (MPN) associated with use of a Fabry-Perot laser diode can be a significant problem in a fiber-based system. The various mechanisms leading to MPN as well as to laser phase noise are discussed in the context of a system constructed with polarization-maintaining fiber. The primary noise mechanisms include spurious fiber-endface reflections and errors in the quarter-wave plate on the recording head. An understanding of these effects is essential for fabrication of a fiber-based recording system with suitable SNR performance.
authors.affiliation: Quinta Corporation, California, USA.
authors.forename: Jeffrey P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Wilde
authors.forename: Alexander A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Tselikov
authors.forename: George R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.forename: Yongwei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Shubhagat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gangopadhyay