Abstract: A laser mux assembly generally includes a back reflector selectively coupled to one of the input ports of an optical multiplexer, such as an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG), and at least one laser emitter coupled to an output port. The laser emitter may include a gain region that emits light across a plurality of wavelengths including, for example, channel wavelengths in an optical communication system. The emitted light is coupled into the output port and the AWG or optical multiplexer filters the emitted light from the laser emitter at different channel wavelengths. The back reflector reflects the filtered light at the respective channel wavelength such that lasing occurs at the channel wavelength(s) of the reflected, filtered light. The laser mux assembly may be used, for example, in a tunable transmitter, to generate an optical signal at a selected channel wavelength.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing bi-directional data services involving a plurality of wavelengths. The data services may be hybrid in nature, including both digital and analog data signals. The techniques may be implemented, for instance, in an optical module, and allow one or more wavelengths to pass-through while other wavelengths are terminated or otherwise diverted. In one example embodiment, the techniques are embodied in a quad-port optical module having two input/output (I/O) ports and pass-through capability for at least one of the wavelengths, add capability for at least one wavelength, and drop capability for at least one wavelength. The module may further include transmit and/or receive capability for one or more signal types. The module can be operatively coupled with a bidi device or other suitable transceiver, to provide modular transmit-receive capability for a desired signal type.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing bi-directional data services involving a plurality of wavelengths. The data services may be hybrid in nature, including both digital and analog data signals. The techniques may be implemented, for instance, in an optical module, and allow one or more wavelengths to pass-through while other wavelengths are terminated or otherwise diverted. In one example embodiment, the techniques are embodied in a quad-port optical module having two input/output (I/O) ports and pass-through capability for at least one of the wavelengths, add capability for at least one wavelength, and drop capability for at least one wavelength. The module may further include transmit and/or receive capability for one or more signal types. The module can be operatively coupled with a bidi device or other suitable transceiver, to provide modular transmit-receive capability for a desired signal type.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to synchronizing network timing. In one particular example, network timing may be synchronized using reflected signals.

Abstract: A modular laser package system may be used to mount one type of laser package, such as a coaxial or TO (transistor outline) can laser package, to a circuit board, such as a transmitter board or a motherboard, designed to receive another type of laser package housing, such as a butterfly-type laser package housing. The modular laser package system may include a circuit board mounting platform, a laser housing mount to mount the laser package to the circuit board mounting platform, and a mounting base to facilitate mounting to the transmitter board or motherboard. The modular laser package system may also include a temperature control device, such as a thermoelectric cooler (TEC), and a temperature sensor, such as a thermistor, mounted to the laser housing mount to control and monitor the temperature of the laser package.

Abstract: A laser for use in a laser transmitter may be heated to maintain an operating temperature of the laser above a temperature floor such that the operating temperature of the laser is allowed to vary within a reduced operating temperature range. The reduced operating temperature range of the laser thus allows the wavelength emitted by the laser to vary within a reduced range of emission wavelengths. In other words, the temperature floor reduces the temperature range experienced by the laser, which reduces the wavelength excursion. The operating temperature of the laser may be allowed to rise above the temperature floor without cooling the laser to stabilize the operating temperature.

Abstract: A modular laser assembly has a laser-fiber housing comprising a semiconductor laser optically coupled to an end of an optical fiber, the laser-fiber housing having electrical leads electrically coupled to the laser and extending from a front face of the laser-fiber housing; a mounting platform comprising laser interfacing circuitry and contacts electrically coupled thereto, an opening for receiving the laser-fiber housing wherein when the laser-fiber housing is mounted to the mounting platform the electrical leads are proximate and may be electrically coupled to the contacts, and a plurality of pins electrically coupled to the interfacing circuitry and extending laterally from opposing sides of the mounting platform; and a temperature controlling element for mounting to and controlling the temperature of the laser-fiber housing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed a method of fabricating a VCSEL. First, a substrate with a back surface and a front surface is provided. Then, a first reflector, an active region, and a second reflector are disposed on the front surface. The first reflector is disposed on the front surface. The active region is interposed between the first reflector and the second reflector. Then, anti-reflection features are formed into the back surface of the substrate to reduce specular reflection of light into the active region.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for conditioning the output signals of an array of surface-emitting lasers with an array of edge-receiving optical devices. Both the array of surface-emitting lasers and the array of edge-receiving optical devices are mounted on an optical bench substrate. The array of edge-receiving optical devices may also be monolithically fabricated on the optical bench substrate. The array of surface-emitting lasers and the array of edge-receiving optical devices are aligned by alignment features and slots, which are fabricated on the optical bench substrate so as to optically couple the array of surface-emitting lasers to the array of edge-receiving optical devices.

Abstract: A planar lightwave circuit (PLC) module for conditioning light output from a tunable laser designed to generate light at a target wavelength. The PLC module has a substrate; a primary waveguide embedded in said substrate, said primary waveguide having an input end for receiving light from the tunable laser and an output end for outputting said light; and at least a first secondary waveguide embedded in said substrate, said first secondary waveguide receiving a first portion of said light from the tunable laser. A filter having a passband centered on the target wavelength is coupled to an output of the first secondary waveguide to receive said first portion of light, and generates a signal related to the intensity of said first portion of light in the passband centered on the target wavelength. This may be used by a processor and associated laser control circuitry for wavelength locking purposes.

Abstract: A vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting laser (VECSEL) is formed by providing a monolithic portion having a first laser cavity mirror and an active region disposed on the first mirror. The cavity is completed with a second laser cavity mirror, such as a DBR, deposited onto the light-receiving end of an optical device, such as an optical fiber. The DBR-on-fiber-end is mounted with respect to the active region to complete the laser cavity and to provide automatic coupling of the output laser light into the fiber.

Abstract: A surface emitting laser is coupled to an external modulator. The laser and the modulator aligned by photolithographically defined features. In a preferred embodiment, the electromagnetic output of the laser is reflected at a right angle from a mirror mounted on a substrate. The reflected output enters a modulator mounted on the same substrate as the mirror. A circuit coupled to the modulator controls the modulation undergone by the electromagnetic output. The modulated output is coupled to an optical fiber for transmission.

Abstract: A vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting laser (VECSEL) is formed by providing a monolithic portion having a first laser cavity mirror and an active region disposed on the first mirror. The cavity is completed with a second laser cavity mirror, such as a DBR, deposited onto the light-receiving end of an optical device, such as an optical fiber. The DBR-on-fiber-end is mounted with respect to the active region to complete the laser cavity and to provide automatic coupling of the output laser light into the fiber.

Abstract: A metal bonded vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) structure with a bottom dielectric distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) mirror, and method for fabricating the VCSEL structure. The VCSEL structure consists a metal bonding layer disposed on a submount at a bottom side of the metal bonding layer; a bottom cavity mirror comprising a bottom dielectric distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) disposed within the metal bonding layer, the bottom dielectric DBR having a reflectance band including the lasing wavelength; a bottom current-spreading layer disposed on said bottom dielectric DBR and on a substantially flat, annular top surface of said metal bonding layer; a semiconductor active region disposed on the bottom current-spreading layer, said active region capable of stimulated emission at the lasing wavelength; and a top cavity mirror disposed above the active region and having a reflectance band including the lasing wavelength.

Abstract: The present invention is directed a method of fabricating a VCSEL. First, a substrate with a back surface and a front surface is provided. Then, a first reflector, an active region, and a second reflector are disposed on the front surface. The first reflector is disposed on the front surface. The active region is interposed between the first reflector and the second reflector. Then, anti-reflection features are formed into the back surface of the substrate to reduce specular reflection of light into the active region.

Abstract: A zigzag waveguide device-based apparatus and method for achieving or maintaining wavelength lock for a tunable laser designed to generate light at a selected one of a plurality of target wavelengths. The apparatus has a reflectively coupled zigzag waveguide device for receiving a portion of light output by the tunable laser, the zigzag waveguide device having a plurality of filters, each having a passband centered at a respective one of the plurality of target wavelengths, whereby said zigzag waveguide device produces a plurality of filtered light outputs. A plurality of photosensors is provided, one for each of said plurality of filters, each said filter positioned to receive a respective one of the plurality of filtered light outputs, each said filter producing a filter output signal related to the intensity of said portion of light in the passband of the corresponding filter.

Abstract: A VCSEL device has a VCSEL portion having a bottom laser cavity mirror, a top laser cavity mirror, and an active region disposed between the top and bottom mirrors; and a photodetector deposited directly onto a top surface of the laser structure, without an independent substrate, and situated so that light generated by the laser structure and exiting through the top mirror impinges on said photodetector. The integrated photodetector may be used to monitor the optical power of the light output by the laser, to control the optical power and/or to detect laser failure.

Abstract: A planar lightwave circuit (PLC) module for conditioning light output from a tunable laser designed to generate light at a target wavelength. The PLC module has a substrate; a primary waveguide embedded in said substrate, said primary waveguide having an input end for receiving light from the tunable laser and an output end for outputting said light; and at least a first secondary waveguide embedded in said substrate, said first secondary waveguide receiving a first portion of said light from the tunable laser. A filter having a passband centered on the target wavelength is coupled to an output of the first secondary waveguide to receive said first portion of light, and generates a signal related to the intensity of said first portion of light in the passband centered on the target wavelength. This may be used by a processor and associated laser control circuitry for wavelength locking purposes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for conditioning the output signals of an array of surface-emitting lasers with an array of edge-receiving optical devices. Both the array of surface-emitting lasers and the array of edge-receiving optical devices are mounted on an optical bench substrate. The array of edge-receiving optical devices may also be monolithically fabricated on the optical bench substrate. The array of surface-emitting lasers and the array of edge-receiving optical devices are aligned by alignment features and slots, which are fabricated on the optical bench substrate so as to optically couple the array of surface-emitting lasers to the array of edge-receiving optical devices.