Wavelength tunable composite cavity laser
This patent describes a single wavelength optical source. It comprises: a gain medium having first and second end surfaces opposite each other, the gain medium for generating optical signals over a substantially continuous range of wavelengths by spontaneous emission, a first reflector disposed on the first end surface of the gain medium, single-mode optical fiber optically coupled to the gain medium through the second end surface, a second reflector comprising a portion of the single-mode optical fiber having a substantially flat, reduced cladding region over a predetermined length and a reflective filter means in close proximity with the reduced cladding region for evanescent optical coupling thereto. The first and second reflectors forming a single resonant optical cavity therebetween with the optical fiber and the gain medium disposed within the cavity, and means connected to the second reflector for dynamically controlling the reflective filter means to reflect toward the first reflector optical signals substantially at the single wavelength so that the source is tunable to any single wavelength in the continuous range of wavelengths spontaneously emitted by the gain medium.
- Assignee:
- AT and T Bell Lab., Murray Hill, NJ (USA)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4955028; A
- Application Number:
- PPN: US s 7-173488
- OSTI ID:
- 5899260
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: 25 Mar 1988
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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