Abstract: A wavelength reference (10) including at least one gas-tunable etalons (12). Each etalon (12) has first and second reflective surfaces (20,22), making a reflecting surface pair (23). Each reflecting surface pair (23) surrounds a cavity (16) which is filled with a gas-tunable medium (19) having a variable optical index of refraction. The etalons (12) produce equally-spaced spectral lines (4) which are variable in response to changes in the gas-tunable medium (19) such as varying gas pressure or composition. The spectral lines (4) are tuned to align to an external wavelength standard, preferably an ITU reference grid (2). The properties of the gas-tunable medium (19) are then fixed, preferably by sealing an enclosure (14) which surrounds the etalons (12), so that they act as a wavelength reference (10). The etalon (12) can be a reflective etalon (29) or in an alternate embodiment (60), can be a transmissive etalon (29).

Abstract: An integrated or hybrid-optical device (10) able to perform the functions of both a beam splitter and an etalon. A splitter interface (72), front-cavity interface (74), and rear-cavity interface (76) are provided and separate regions (78, 80, 82, 84) which may be of “air” (gas or vacuum) or solid materials. The front-cavity interface (74), the rear-cavity interface (76), and the interposed third region (82) define a Fabry Perot etalon, which may be either solid or air-spaced. In particular, the integrated optical device (10) has only the second region (80) interposed between the splitter interface (72) and the front-cavity interface (74).

Abstract: A wavelength locker (10) and system (70) for providing wavelength-locked multi-channels signals by using gas tuning. A number of radiation sources (72) provide beams of radiation at wavelengths separated by a predetermined spacing. One or more wavelength lockers (10) produce equally-spaced spectral lines (4) which are tunable in comparison to a wavelength reference, which is preferably the ITU grid (2). The wavelength locker (10) includes one or more etalons (12) which includes a gas-tunable medium (19) having a variable optical index of refraction. The etalons (12) are tuned by varying the pressure or composition of the gas-tunable medium(19) until the spectral lines (4) of the etalon (12) align with the ITU grid (4). The gas properties are then fixed by at least temporarily sealing the etalon (12). The etalons (12) may either be transmissive etalons (31), or reflective etalons (29).

Abstract: A method and system for providing wavelength-locked multi-channel signals with respect to a wavelength reference. Wavelengths of a plurality of radiation sources are introduced to at least one etalon having a gas medium. The etalon produces a plurality of equally spaced spectral lines and is tuned by varying its optical index of refraction, by varying the characteristics of its gas medium. The optical index of refraction is then fixed, by fixing the characteristics of its gas medium, and thus locking the plurality of spectral lines with respect to the wavelength reference. In particular, the etalons may be tuned by varying the pressure or composition of their gas-tunable mediums until the spectral lines of the etalon align with the ITU grid.

Abstract: A wavelength reference (10) including at least one gas-tunable etalons (12). Each etalon (12) has first and second reflective surfaces (20,22), making a reflecting surface pair (23). Each reflecting surface pair (23) surrounds a cavity (16) which is filled with a gas-tunable medium (19) having a variable optical index of refraction. The etalons (12) produce equally-spaced spectral lines (4) which are variable in response to changes in the gas-tunable medium (19) such as varying gas pressure or composition. The spectral lines (4) are tuned to align to an external wavelength standard, preferably an ITU reference grid (2). The properties of the gas-tunable medium (19) are then fixed, preferably by sealing an enclosure (14) which surrounds the etalons (12), so that they act as a wavelength reference (10).

Abstract: In order to tune the frequencies of radiation sources, a frequency locker is provided having equally spaced periodic frequencies with a spectral range substantially equal to the frequency spacing of a plurality of radiation sources with equally spaced apart frequencies. The periodic frequencies of the locker are slightly offset from those of the radiation sources. Radiation from each of the sources is passed through the locker and the radiation passed by the locker is detected and used to adjust the frequencies of the sources in order to tune the sources. The frequency locker includes an etalon with dimensions accurate to 0.5 microns or better. The dimension of the etalon may be controlled by controlling the thickness of spacers for maintaining vacuum or air gaps where the dimensions may be altered by thin film deposition and etching techniques. The optical path length of the etalon may also be changed by altering the angle of incidence of an incoming beam with the reflective surfaces of the etalon.