Rapidly tunable integrated laser
US5373517A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 19, 1993 |
| Grant date | Dec 13, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 19, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S5/50
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A monolithically integrated laser which is rapidly tunable over a wide optical frequency range comprises a frequency router formed in a semiconductive wafer defining a tuned cavity. A control circuit applies electrical energy to predetermined controllably transmissive waveguides connecting the frequency routing device with reflective elements defined in the wafer. This tunes the laser to a desired one of a plurality of optical frequencies. Application of such electrical energy creates frequency selective pathways through the wafer able to support selected lasing frequencies. This laser is economical to construct and is useful in high capacity, high speed optical communications networks.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.