Abstract: The present invention relates to the tailoring the reflectivity spectrum of a SGDBR by applying digital sampling theory to choose the way each reflector is sampled. The resulting mirror covers a larger wavelength span and has peaks with a larger, more uniform, coupling constant (?) than the mirrors produced using conventional approaches. The improved mirror also retains the benefits of the sample grating approach. Additionally, most of the embodiments are relatively simple to manufacture.

Abstract: A tunable laser is disclosed including a gain section for creating a light beam over a bandwidth, a phase section for controlling the light beam around a center frequency of the bandwidth, a waveguide for guiding and reflecting the light beam in a cavity including a relatively low energy bandgap separate-confinement-heterostructure (SCH), a front mirror bounding an end of the cavity and a back mirror bounding an opposite end of the cavity wherein gain is provided by at least one of the group comprising the phase section, the front mirror and the back mirror.

Abstract: A monolithically-integrated semiconductor optical transmitter that can index tune to any transmission wavelength in a given range, wherein the range is larger than that achievable by the maximum refractive index tuning allowed by the semiconductor material itself (i.e. ??/?>?n/n). In practice, this tuning range is >15 nm. The transmitter includes a Mach-Zehnder (MZ) modulator monolithically integrated with a widely tunable laser and a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA). By using an interferometric modulation, the transmitter can dynamically control the chirp in the resulting modulated signal over the wide tuning range of the laser.

Abstract: A wavelength monitor is provided based on the transmission response of an optical filter. The monitor provides feedback to the laser enabling it to lock to any given wavelength within its tuning range. The invention is also a process for integrating the wavelength monitor directly on chip with a variety of tunable semiconductor lasers. The invention also comprises a method for controlling the wavelength of a tunable laser by using a wavelength monitor to measure the output light and provide feedback to a control system. The laser and wavelength monitor are integrated together on a single indium phosphide chip. The wavelength monitor comprises a filter with a wavelength dependent transmission function and a pair of detectors. One detector is illuminated with light that has passed through the filter and the other provides a reference to measure the input intensity. Taking the ratio of the filtered light level to the unfiltered light provides a wavelength dependent wavelength.

Abstract: A method of generating an optical signal provides a diode laser assembly including an epitaxial structure formed on a substrate. A laser and an amplifier are formed in the epitaxial structure. At least a portion of the laser and amplifier share a common waveguide. A tunable laser output is produced from the laser. The laser output is coupled into the amplifier along the common waveguide. An optical signal is generated from the amplifier.

Abstract: A laser assembly includes an epitaxial structure formed on a substrate. A separately controllable tunable laser resonator and external optical amplifier are formed in the epitaxial structure. At least a portion of the laser and amplifier share a common waveguide, which may have non-uniform optical or geometrical properties along the waveguide centerline or across a normal to the centerline.

Abstract: A method of making a diode laser assembly provides a substrate. An epitaxial structure is formed on the substrate. Different areas of the epitaxial structure have different optical properties. A laser, a modulator and a coupler are formed in the epitaxial structure.

Abstract: A laser assembly includes an epitaxial structure formed on a substrate. A laser resonator, a modulator and a coupler are formed in the epitaxial structure. The coupler is positioned to receive and adjust an output received from the modulator.

Abstract: A method of converting an optical wavelength includes providing a wavelength converter assembly with a photodetector and a laser with a common epitaxial structure. The expitaxial structure has areas of differing bandgap. An optical input having a first wavelength at the wavelength converter assembly is absorbed. A first electrical signal is generated from the photodetector in response to the optical input. The first electrical signal is conditioned to produce a conditioned first electrical signal. A second electrical signal is generated from the conditioned first electrical signal. A laser output is generated from a gain medium of the laser at a second wavelength in response to the second electrical signal.

Abstract: A tunable laser comprised of a gain section for creating a light beam by spontaneous emission over a bandwidth, a phase section for controlling the light beam around a center frequency of the bandwidth, a cavity for guiding and reflecting the light beam, a front mirror bounding an end of the cavity, and a back mirror bounding an opposite end of the cavity. The back mirror has a &kgr;effB approximately equal to &agr;Tune, where &kgr;effB is an effective coupling constant and &agr;Tune is the maximum amount of propagation loss anticipated for an amount of peak tuning required, and a length of the back mirror is made to produce greater than approximately 80% reflectivity.

Abstract: A method of making a diode laser assembly includes providing a substrate. An epitaxial structure is formed on the substrate. Different areas of the epitaxial structure have different optical properties. A laser, a modulator and a coupler are formed in the epitaxial structure.

Abstract: A tunable laser is disclosed including a gain section for creating a light beam over a bandwidth, a phase section for controlling the light beam around a center frequency of the bandwidth, a waveguide for guiding and reflecting the light beam in a cavity including a relatively low energy bandgap separate-confinement-heterostructure (SCH), a front mirror bounding an end of the cavity and a back mirror bounding an opposite end of the cavity wherein gain is provided by at least one of the group comprising the phase section, the front mirror and the back mirror.

Abstract: A tunable laser comprised of a gain section for creating a light beam by spontaneous emission over a bandwidth, a phase section for controlling the light beam around a center frequency of the bandwidth, a cavity for guiding and reflecting the light beam, a front mirror bounding an end of the cavity, and a back mirror bounding an opposite end of the cavity. The back mirror has a &kgr;effB approximately equal to &agr;Tune,where &kgr;effB is an effective coupling constant and &agr;Tune is the maximum amount of propagation loss anticipated for an amount of peak tuning required, and a length of the back mirror is made to produce greater than approximately 80% reflectivity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the tailoring the reflectivity spectrum of a SGDBR by applying digital sampling theory to choose the way each reflector is sampled. The resulting mirror covers a larger wavelength span and has peaks with a larger, more uniform, coupling constant (&kgr;) than the mirrors produced using conventional approaches. The improved mirror also retains the benefits of the sample grating approach. Additionally, most of the embodiments ate relatively simple to manufacture.