Abstract: The present invention relates to the suppression of nonlinear fiber effects leading to optical noise, particularly Stimulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS), when narrow linewidth light sources are used in optical communication systems, particularly external cavity laser light sources. Various intra-cavity and extra-cavity modulation techniques are described that broaden the output of the laser light source so as to distribute the laser energy among multiple spectral lines and not exceed the SBS threshold. Thermal, mechanical and electrical modulation techniques are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the analog external cavity lasers (ECLs) including designs, materials, methods of manufacturing and methods of use for such ECLs and packages for such ECLS. Numerous criteria are presented that lead to improved cost/performance for ECLs and for systems incorporating such ECLs.