Abstract: A modified distributed feedback (DFB) laser comprises a gain region with a distributed feedback grating and a back reflector that receives a portion of laser light generated by the gain region and the distributed feedback. The back reflector is a wavelength-selective reflector that retroreflects the portion of the received laser light back to the gain region, thereby stimulating single mode laser oscillation and/or improving a side mode suppression ratio (SMSR) of the laser light generated by the modified DFB laser. The spectral properties of the laser output by the modified DFB laser can be independent of position of a cleaved facet of the laser chip near a back end of the modified DFB laser and/or the performance of the modified DFB laser can be maintained over a large number of laser chips separated from a wafer.

Abstract: Various designs of semiconductor lasers may comprise a waveguide having a front region that is configured to support a plurality of transverse laser cavity modes and a rear region that support only one transverse laser cavity mode. These front and rear regions may be disposed between front and rear reflectors and may provide optical gain. Some such designs may be useful for providing higher power single mode semiconductor lasers.

Abstract: An optical apparatus comprising a heat compensating device and a light generating optoelectronic device in thermal communication with each other. The heat compensating device is configured to provide heat compensation for the light generating optoelectronic device. An electrical circuitry provides first electrical signals to the light generating device and second electrical signals to the heat compensating device. The electrical circuitry is configured to adjust at least the second electrical signals to control a temperature of the light generating device. The electrical circuitry can adjust the second electrical signals using a feedback signal indicative of a measured wavelength of light generated by the light generating device. Adjusting the first electrical signals via different paths in a wavelength map can be used to calibrate the electrical circuitry so as to reduce or eliminate thermally induced hysteresis effects when tuning or scanning the wavelength of the light generating device.

Abstract: One example includes an atomic sensor system. The system includes an optical source configured to provide an optical beam and a plurality of sensor cell systems. Each of the sensor cell systems includes sensing media enclosed in a volume therein. The system also includes optics configured to provide the optical beam to each of the sensor cell systems to provide interaction of the optical beam with the vapor in each of the respective sensor cell systems. The optical beam exiting each of the sensor cell systems is a respective detection beam. The system further includes a detection system comprising at least one configured to receive the detection beam from each of the sensor cell systems and to determine a measurable parameter based on an optical characteristic associated with the detection beam from each of the sensor cell systems.

Abstract: A laser comprising a laser cavity formed by a first optical reflector, a gain region, a second optical reflector having a plurality of reflection peaks, and at least one optically active region. The first mirror may be a DBR or comb mirror and the second mirror may be a comb mirror. The spectral reflectance of the second optical reflector is adjusted at least partially based on an electric signal received form the optically active region such that only one reflection peak is aligned with a cavity mode formed by the first and second reflector.

Abstract: Method and designs for optical systems formed by optically connecting active optical devices mounted on carrier chip in a p-side down configuration to other optical devices using photonic wires are disclosed.

Abstract: A laser comprising a laser cavity formed by a first optical reflector, a gain region, a second optical reflector having a plurality of reflection peaks, and at least one optically active region. The first mirror may be a DBR or comb mirror and the second mirror may be a comb mirror. The spectral reflectance of the second optical reflector is adjusted at least partially based on an electric signal received form the optically active region such that only one reflection peak is aligned with a cavity mode formed by the first and second reflector.

Abstract: An isolation section that provides thermal isolation between a laser region and an integrated optical element included in a waveguide-based optical device is disclosed. A semiconductor optical amplifier may further be included between the laser region and the integrated optical element. An additional isolation section may be included between the laser region and the semiconductor optical amplifier in certain cases.

Abstract: An optical apparatus comprising at least two optoelectronic devices fabricated on the same substrate and in thermal communication with each other. A first optoelectronic device is configured to generate optical signals and provide them to an optical system via an optical output port. A second optoelectronic device is configured to provide heat compensation for the first optoelectronic device. An electrical circuitry provides first electrical signals to the first optoelectronic device and second electrical signals to the second optoelectronic device. The electrical circuitry is configured to adjust at least the second electrical signals to controllably adjust a temperature of the first optoelectronic device.

Abstract: Various designs of semiconductor lasers may comprise a waveguide having a front region that is configured to support a plurality of transverse laser cavity modes and a rear region that support only one transverse laser cavity mode. These front and rear regions may be disposed between front and rear reflectors and may provide optical gain. Some such designs may be useful for providing higher power single mode semiconductor lasers.

Abstract: A laser comprising a laser cavity formed by a first optical reflector, a gain region, a second optical reflector having a plurality of reflection peaks, and at least one optically active region. The first mirror may be a DBR or comb mirror and the second mirror may be a comb mirror. The spectral reflectance of the second optical reflector is adjusted at least partially based on an electric signal received form the optically active region such that only one reflection peak is aligned with a cavity mode formed by the first and second reflector.

Abstract: Various designs of semiconductor lasers may comprise a waveguide having a front region that is configured to support a plurality of transverse laser cavity modes and a rear region that support only one transverse laser cavity mode. These front and rear regions may be disposed between front and rear reflectors and may provide optical gain. Some such designs may be useful for providing higher power single mode semiconductor lasers.

Abstract: An optical apparatus comprising at least two optoelectronic devices fabricated on the same substrate and in thermal communication with each other. A first optoelectronic device is configured to generate optical signals and provide them to an optical system via an optical output port. A second optoelectronic device is configured to provide heat compensation for the first optoelectronic device. An electrical circuitry provides first electrical signals to the first optoelectronic device and second electrical signals to the second optoelectronic device. The electrical circuitry is configured to adjust at least the second electrical signals to controllably adjust a temperature of the first optoelectronic device.

Abstract: Configurations and method fabrication are disclosed for vapor cells used in atomic sensors. In particular vapor cells that include optical resonators. The disclosed configurations can utilize the optical resonance inside the vapor cells to enhance the interaction between laser beams and atoms contained in the vapor cell and enable controlling the temperature of the vapor cell.

Abstract: A laser including a grating configured to reduce lasing threshold for a selected vertically confined mode as compared to other vertically confined modes.

Abstract: A laser comprising a laser cavity formed by a first optical reflector, a gain region, a second optical reflector having a plurality of reflection peaks, and at least one optically active region. The first mirror may be a DBR or comb mirror and the second mirror may be a comb mirror. The spectral reflectance of the second optical reflector is adjusted at least partially based on an electric signal received form the optically active region such that only one reflection peak is aligned with a cavity mode formed by the first and second reflector.

Abstract: One example includes an atomic sensor system. The system includes an optical source configured to provide an optical beam and a plurality of sensor cell systems. Each of the sensor cell systems includes sensing media enclosed in a volume therein. The system also includes optics configured to provide the optical beam to each of the sensor cell systems to provide interaction of the optical beam with the vapor in each of the respective sensor cell systems. The optical beam exiting each of the sensor cell systems is a respective detection beam. The system further includes a detection system comprising at least one configured to receive the detection beam from each of the sensor cell systems and to determine a measurable parameter based on an optical characteristic associated with the detection beam from each of the sensor cell systems.

Abstract: An optical system comprising an optoelectronic device having a facet and a coating on the facet. The facet is configured to be in optical communication with at least a first optical medium during a first time period and a second optical medium during a second time period. The first optical medium has a first refractive index and the second optical medium has a second refractive index different from the first refractive index. The coating is configured to provide a first reflectance during the first time period for optical signals in a predetermined wavelength range and to provide a second reflectance during the second time period for optical signals in the predetermined wavelength range wherein the second reflectance is equal to the first reflectance within a negligible margin for optical signals having at least one wavelength in the predetermined wavelength range.

Abstract: Configurations are disclosed for multi-wavelength optical devices and systems. In particular, multi-wavelength optical devices that include separate chips optically connected via phonic wire bonds. The disclosed configurations can utilize photonic wire bond interconnects and photonic wire bond interconnection techniques, which may facilitate low-cost implementation of wavelength division multiplexed optical systems.

Abstract: An optical apparatus comprising at least two optoelectronic devices fabricated on the same substrate and in thermal communication with each other. A first optoelectronic device is configured to generate optical signals and provide them to an optical system via an optical output port. A second optoelectronic device is configured to provide heat compensation for the first optoelectronic device. An electrical circuitry provides first electrical signals to the first optoelectronic device and second electrical signals to the second optoelectronic device. The electrical circuitry is configured to adjust at least the second electrical signals to controllably adjust a temperature of the first optoelectronic device.