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Switchable multiple wavelength semiconductor laser

  • US 5,200,969 A
  • Filed: 10/18/1991
  • Issued: 04/06/1993
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/18/1991
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A solid state semiconductor laser switchable between at least two different output wavelengths, comprising:

  • a laser body of the type including a plurality of contiguous layers of semiconductor material, located in an optical path, at least first and second portions of said layers of the type providing carrier quantization in at least one dimension, wherein said first and second portions are formed such that one quantum level of said first portion is at the same energy level as a different quantum level of said second portion;

    means for providing gain in said optical path when an electrical bias is applied thereto;

    means for providing loss in said optical path when an electrical bias is applied thereto to thereby limit the output of said laser to a first wavelength which corresponds to an energy level of said first portion which is not found in said second portion when a first electrical bias is applied thereto, and to thereby limit the output of said laser to a second wavelength different than said first wavelength which corresponds to an energy level found in both said first and second portions when a second electrical bias, different than said first electrical bias, is applied thereto.

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