Abstract: The invention relates to optical communication devices, light emission devices and optical communication methods. Aspects of the present invention provide methods and devices enable provision of modulated output optical signals without providing modulation of total photon populations of cavities of associated lasers. Such avoids or minimizes bandwidth restrictions associated with conventional methods or devices which modulate total photon populations within cavities of lasers. One aspect of the invention includes an optical communication method including providing a data signal comprising data to be communicated and emitting light using a laser. The method further includes modulating the laser across a lasing mode transition responsive to the data signal. The emitting further includes emitting the light during a plurality of lasing modes of the laser to communicate the data responsive to the modulating.

Abstract: An optical switch for a network having a plurality of nodes, includes a switch coupled to communications links used for input and output in which a plurality of wavelengths are used to carry traffic on a communications link, and a controller, coupled to the switch, for controlling the operation of the switch by implementing a routing protocol, and implementing a labeling protocol to associate a wavelength with a route table destination. The controller controls the switch to direct the various wavelengths of traffic from an input link to an appropriate output link as determined by the routing protocol and the labeling protocol.