Abstract: Optical dispersion compensation (ODC) devices are disclosed. In one aspect, an ODC device may include first and second groups of optical resonator devices coupled together to compensate for optical dispersion by collectively delaying light. The first group of optical resonator devices may have a first group delay curve with a convex shape between peaks in frequency. The second group of optical resonator devices may have a second group delay curve with a concave shape at a peak in frequency. The ODC device may also include one or more thermal devices to change the temperature of the first group of optical resonator devices as a group, and one or more additional thermal devices to change the temperature of the second group of optical resonator devices as a group. Methods of making and using the ODC devices are also disclosed, as well as various systems including the ODC devices.

Abstract: Thermally tunable optical dispersion compensation (ODC) devices are disclosed. In one aspect, an ODC device may include multiple Gires-Toumois (G-T) etalons. The etalons may be optically coupled together. The etalons may compensate for optical dispersion by collectively delaying light. At least one of the G-T etalons may have a temperature dependent partial reflector. The ODC device may also include at least one thermal device to change the temperature of the G-T etalon having the temperature dependent partial reflector. Methods of making and using the ODC devices are also disclosed, as well as various systems including the ODC devices.

Abstract: A laser includes an end reflector optically coupled to a front reflector, the front reflector and the end reflector to define a laser cavity. An optical path length modulation section is optically coupled between the front reflector and the end reflector, the optical path length modulation section to change between a first optical path length and a second optical path length to switch an optical output of the laser between a first wavelength and a second wavelength. A filter is optically coupled to the optical output of the laser to remove the second wavelength from the optical output.

Abstract: An external cavity laser apparatus and method wherein wavelength or channel selection is carried independently from adjustment of external cavity optical path length. The apparatus comprises a wavelength or channel selector tuner and an external cavity tuner, wherein the wavelength tuner is uncoupled from the external cavity tuner. The tuning mechanisms for wavelength selection and cavity optical path length are configured to operate independently or orthogonally with respect to each other. The wavelength tuner may operate according to a first, channel selection signal, while the external cavity tuner operates according to a second, external cavity adjustment signal. The wavelength tuner and external cavity tuner may operate under the control of the same, or of separate controllers.

Abstract: An integrated structure includes front and rear facets optically coupled by a waveguide passing through the integrated structure. The integrated structure includes a gain section and a reflector optically coupled to the gain section by the waveguide, the reflector to emit an optical output. A modulator is optically coupled to the reflector by the waveguide, the modulator to modulate the optical output. And a control section disposed along the waveguide.

Abstract: A chip carrier having improver thermal properties, wherein the chip carrier may be formed having waist section, and a first transverse end portion joined to the waist section. A first surface of the carrier being configured to receive a chip thereon, and a second surface of the carrier configured to be coupled to a thermal control unit to provide cooling of the carrier and chip. The chip carrier may have a second transverse end portion joined to the waist portion in certain embodiments.

Abstract: A chip carrier having improver thermal properties, wherein the chip carrier may be formed having waist section, and a first transverse end portion joined to the waist section. A first surface of the carrier being configured to receive a chip thereon, and a second surface of the carrier configured to be coupled to a thermal control unit to provide cooling of the carrier and chip. The chip carrier may have a second transverse end portion joined to the waist portion in certain embodiments.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods usable for wavelength references and measurement of wavelength of a light beam. The apparatus comprise at least two wavelength reference or filter elements positioned in a light beam, each wavelength reference element having a different free spectral range and operable to define a joint free spectral range, and a detector positioned in the beam after the wavelength reference elements. The joint free spectral range provided by the multiple wavelength reference elements results in a joint transmission peak that is centered at a unique wavelength, and maximum optical power detectable from the beam by the detector occurs at the center wavelength of the joint transmission peak.

Abstract: Methods for calibrating tunable lasers. Various operational characteristics of a tunable laser, such as an external cavity diode laser (ECDL), are modeled using corresponding modeling equations. Corresponding calibration processes are performed for each operational characteristics to derive parameters corresponding to each modeling equation. In one embodiment, the calibration processes relate to calibration of resistive thermal devices (RTDs), wavelength calibration, power vs. gain medium current (PI) curve calibration, and output power calibrations. The corresponding parameters that are derived from the calibration processes are stored on-board the tunable laser. During laser operations, firmware instructions are executed to perform tuning functions employing the stored parameters.

Abstract: An external cavity laser apparatus and method wherein wavelength or channel selection is carried independently from adjustment of external cavity optical path length. The apparatus comprises a wavelength or channel selector tuner and an external cavity tuner, wherein the wavelength tuner is uncoupled from the external cavity tuner. The tuning mechanisms for wavelength selection and cavity optical path length are configured to operate independently or orthogonally with respect to each other. The wavelength tuner may operate according to a first, channel selection signal, while the external cavity tuner operates according to a second, external cavity adjustment signal. The wavelength tuner and external cavity tuner may operate under the control of the same, or of separate controllers.

Abstract: A servo or control technique and apparatus for an external cavity diode laser (ECDL) are described. Coarse tuning adjustments for the ECDL may be performed by varying the temperature of tunable filters. Fine tuning adjustments may be performed varying the temperature of the ECDL sled (base) to vary the length of the cavity via thermal contraction and expansion. A controller comprises a coupler matrix that mathematically relates multiple control signal inputs for varying the temperatures of the tunable filters and sled to produce multiple outputs used to control, for example, thermal-electric cooler (TEC) elements associated with the tunable filters and sled.

Abstract: An external cavity laser apparatus and method wherein wavelength or channel selection is carried independently from adjustment of external cavity optical path length. The apparatus comprises a wavelength or channel selector tuner and an external cavity tuner, wherein the wavelength tuner is uncoupled from the external cavity tuner. The tuning mechanisms for wavelength selection and cavity optical path length are configured to operate independently or orthogonally with respect to each other. The wavelength tuner may operate according to a first, channel selection signal, while the external cavity tuner operates according to a second, external cavity adjustment signal. The wavelength tuner and external cavity tuner may operate under the control of the same, or of separate controllers.

Abstract: Mode behavior of single longitudinal mode semiconductor lasers are modeled and employed for configuring external cavity lasers, including external cavity diode lasers (ECDLs). In particular, equations employed for modeling active and passive mode pulling effects are derived, and the equations are combined to formulate an equation corresponding to an optimal operating condition under which longitudinal lasing mode stability is enhanced. Under the optimal condition, the laser will operate in a lasing mode with the lowest threshold losses that is also stable. Based on the equation, a full-width-half maximum (FWHM) value for in intracavity filter can be selected to enable the laser to operate under or approach the optimal operating condition.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to provide real-time diagnostic data streams for a tunable optical device. Data from a tunable optical device is captured in real-time during operation of the tunable optical device. The data is formatted into data frames and streamed from the tunable optical device via a serial interface. The data is received at a data acquisition unit and stored at a storage device. The data gathered during the operation of the tunable optical device may be studied later to review operations of the tunable optical device and to diagnose errors.

Abstract: A servo or control technique and apparatus for performing wavelength locking employs the phase-shift modulation scheme to adjust one or more optical elements in the laser cavity to lock the lasing frequency toward a desired channel frequency. A controller comprises a high bandwidth mode and a low bandwidth mode. When initially locking to a new channel, the high bandwidth controller mode may be used to supply more energy to drive an actuator to achieve faster seeking. When an error signal approaches within a pre-defined threshold of zero error, the controller may be switched to a lower bandwidth mode supplying less power to the actuator to softly approach the target frequency and avoid overshoot. The lower bandwidth controller mode may keep the noise level lower and provide better frequency tracking stability to the tunable laser.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods that utilize tunable elements to provide for selective wavelength tuning of a light beam. The apparatus comprises a first tunable wavelength selection element having a first adjustable free spectral range, a second tunable wavelength selection element having a second adjustable free spectral range, with the first and second tunable wavelength selection elements configured to define a tunable joint transmission peak. The first and second tunable wavelength selection elements respectively define first and second pluralities of tunable transmission peaks, wherein respective ones of each of the first and second plurality of transmission peaks are aligned to obtain a joint transmission peak that may be adjusted by tuning the wavelength selection elements. The free spectral ranges of the wavelength selection elements are configured to enable a Vernier tuning effect.

Abstract: A laser having a grid generator that is configured such that the grid transmission peaks can be changed or varied during laser operation. The grid generator is tunable between at least two different, selectable grid spacings. The laser may be of various configurations, and may be a tunable external cavity laser having a channel selector in the external cavity. The laser may further comprise a tuner or tuning assembly operatively coupled to the grid generator and configured to adjust the grid generator to the selectable communication grids.

Abstract: An error signal generation system and method for continuous and accurate positioning of a tunable element used in association with a coherent light source. A tunable element is positioned in a coherent light beam with a fixed frequency or wavelength, and a detector is positioned in association with the light beam and tunable element that is capable of generating an error signal indicative of spatial losses associated with the positioning of the tunable element in the light beam. A tuning assembly is operatively coupled to the tunable element and detector and is configured to position the tunable element according to the error signal generated by the detector.

Abstract: Systems and methods for probing or evaluating optical loss characteristics associated with lasers by monitoring voltage across a laser gain medium, and a laser and method of laser operation wherein intra-cavity losses are determined by monitoring voltage across a gain medium and wherein the cavity loss profile is adjusted according to the voltage across the gain medium.

Abstract: A tunable external cavity laser apparatus and method of laser operation. The apparatus includes a gain medium having first and second facets defining a facet laser cavity in which a first portion of light is internally reflected to produce a first lasing condition having a first reflection phase. A reflective element is positioned opposite the second facet of the gain medium, forming an external laser cavity defined by the first facet and reflective element. A second portion of light is internally reflected within the external cavity to produce a second lasing condition having a second reflection phase. A phase adjustment means is employed to adjust the first reflection phase relative to the second reflection phase so as to control a characteristic of the output beam emitted from the apparatus, such as the power output level of the beam. In one aspect, the relative phase is adjusted by controlling the temperature of the gain medium.