Wavelength selectable source for wavelength division multiplexed applications
First Claim
1. A wavelength selectable laser comprising:
- a source of optical energy within a range of wavelengths;
optical transmission filter means optically connected to said source for filtering said optical energy as a function of wavelength;
grating means for reflecting a wavelength band of optical energy within said range of wavelengths, said grating means being optically connected to said optical filter means to receive said filtered optical energy; and
tuning means for tuning one of said optical filter means and said grating means such that said filtered optical energy at a selected wavelength band from within said range of wavelengths is reflected by said grating means;
said source being optically coupled with respect to said grating means to receive said reflected optical energy at said selected wavelength band to induce lasing at said selected wavelength band.
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Abstract
A broadband wavelength-selectable laser includes a gain medium, an optical transmission filter, and an optical fiber with a reflective filter such as a series of fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs). The gain medium is preferably a semiconductor laser diode that generates broadband optical energy. The gain medium is optically connected to the optical transmission filter, such as a bandpass filter, a notch filter, or a periodic filter, which converts the broadband optical energy into filtered optical energy having wavelength bands of high transmissivity and wavelength bands of low transmissivity. The optical transmission filter is optically connected to the series of FBGs that reflects different wavelength bands of optical energy. Either the optical transmission filter or the FBGs are tunable over a wavelength range that includes the desired laser wavelengths. Tuning a laser to a selected wavelength requires tuning either the optical transmission filter or the FBG that corresponds to the desired wavelength so that the selected wavelength of optical energy is reflected back toward the gain medium, thereby inducing lasing at the selected wavelength. The single wavelength laser light is suitable for wavelength division multiplexed applications.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A wavelength selectable laser comprising:
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a source of optical energy within a range of wavelengths; optical transmission filter means optically connected to said source for filtering said optical energy as a function of wavelength; grating means for reflecting a wavelength band of optical energy within said range of wavelengths, said grating means being optically connected to said optical filter means to receive said filtered optical energy; and tuning means for tuning one of said optical filter means and said grating means such that said filtered optical energy at a selected wavelength band from within said range of wavelengths is reflected by said grating means; said source being optically coupled with respect to said grating means to receive said reflected optical energy at said selected wavelength band to induce lasing at said selected wavelength band. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification