Switched radio frequency (RF) driver for tunable laser with multiple in-line sections

US9531155B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Yi Wang · Katy, US
• Jun Zheng · Palo Alto, US
• Yanyan Zhang · Lo Wu, CN

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 9, 2014
• Grant date: Dec 27, 2016
• Expiry date: Apr 9, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H01S5/4087
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A tunable laser with multiple in-line sections generally includes a semiconductor laser body with a plurality of in-line laser sections each configured to be driven independently to generate laser light at a wavelength within a different respective wavelength range. The wavelength of the light generated in each of the laser sections may be tuned, in response to a temperature change, to a channel wavelength within the respective wavelength range. A switch module may be configured to couple a signal from a laser driver to a selected one of the plurality of in-line laser sections, wherein the signal modulates the laser light generated by the in-line laser section. The selected in-line section may be DC biased to a lasing state and the non-selected in-line sections may be DC biased to a non-lasing or transparent state.