Precisely wavelength-tunable and wavelength-switchable narrow linewidth lasers

Abstract

Continuously tunable and precisely wavelength-switchable fiber lasers combine fiber Bragg gratings and the transmissive filtering properties of high finesse fiber Fabry-Perot filters. This laser arrangement adapts to multiple wavelength ranges based on the selections of fiber Bragg grating and gain medium and their arrangement to create a wavelength-modulatable and simultaneously rapidly wavelength-switchable narrow linewidth all-fiber laser design. This laser arrangement further results in narrow-linewidth outputs with fast switching speeds between the selected wavelengths.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application makes reference to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 110,056, entitled “Novel Wavelength-Modulatable and Continuously Tunable Narrow-Linewidth Fiber Lasers and Precisely Wavelength-Switchable Narrow-Linewidth Laser for Optical Telecommunications and Spectroscopic Applications,” filed Nov. 25, 1998, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 246,125, entitled “Tunable Bragg Gratings and Devices Employing the Same,” filed Feb. 8, 1999, the entire contents and disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.[0002]This invention is made with government support under contract numbers MDA-972-94-1-0003 and MDA-972-98-1-0002, awarded by DARPA. The government may have certain rights in this invention.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]1. Field of the Invention[0004]The present invention relates generally to tunable fiber lasers.[0005]2. Description of the Prior Art[0006]Tunable lasers have applications in...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a rapidly switchable multi-wavelength source that is relatively easy to manufacture for any customized set of arbitrary channels.

[0011]It is a further object to provide precise wavelength switching and selectivity capable of achieving specifications needed for DWDM applications.

[0012]It is yet another object to provide continuously wavelength-tunable fiber lasers and rapidly and precisely wavelength-switchable fiber lasers.

[0015]It is yet another object to prevent wavelength drift from the FFPs PZT tuning assembly by providing stable wavelength intra-cavity filters through the use of fixed-wavelength fiber Bragg gratings.

[0018]It is yet another object to provide narrow linewidth outputs, superior power outputs, and lower RIN (relative intensity noise) than elaborate short cavity lasers.

Problems solved by technology

Past multi-wavelength switchable sources have in general been limited to schemes that are either difficult to scale to a large number of wavelengths, or have relatively slow (millisecond) switching speeds.

However, these are relatively difficult and expensive to manufacture, particularly in small volumes or for custom applications that may require a combination of numerous arbitrarily-spaced channels on the WDM / DWDM ITU grid.

Images