Tunable controlled laser array
US6914916B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 30, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jul 5, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 24, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S5/4087
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A semiconductor laser capable of emitting in any one of standard communication wavelengths is of great practical value. To this end, a single semiconductor chip is fabricated on which many different distributed feedback (DFB) lasers are integrated. The device parameters of the different DFB lasers are varied such that each laser emits at a different wavelength. In addition a micro-mechanical optical element is packaged with the laser array, such that the position of the optical element controls which laser stripe is coupled to the output fiber. The micro-mechanical element or switch in various embodiments is a sliding waveguide, a movable lens, or a mirror that tilts. By selecting the particular DFB laser, controlling the temperature to fine tune the wavelength, and adjusting the position of the micro-mechanical optical element, the output wavelength is set to one of many communication wavelengths.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.