Systems for thermal management of laser wavelength discriminators

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to techniques for thermal regulation and control of wavelength discriminators utilized in laser applications. A laser system can include a laser source, a wavelength discriminator optically coupled with the laser source, and a thermal management system for the wavelength discriminator. The laser source is configured to generate laser light. The wavelength discriminator is configured to receive a portion of the laser light and generate therefrom wavelength-discriminated light conveying information about the laser light. The thermal management system includes a heat-spreading enclosure surrounding the wavelength discriminator to transfer heat thereto or dissipate heat therefrom, and a thermal regulation device configured to regulate the temperature of the wavelength discriminator through thermal coupling mediated by the heat-spreading enclosure.

Description

SYSTEMS FOR THERMAL MANAGEMENT OF LASER WAVELENGTH DISCRIMINATORSRELATED PATENT APPLICATION

[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 570,516 filed on March 27, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The technical field pertains to lasers, and specifically to systems for the thermal regulation and control of wavelength discriminators utilized in laser applications.BACKGROUND

[0003] Wavelength discriminators, including optical etalons and Bragg gratings, are integral components utilized across a broad range of laser applications, such as telecommunications, lidar remote sensing, spectroscopy, and metrology. These components play various roles in laser systems, such as wavelength tuning and stabilization, spectral linewidth narrowing, noise mitigation, mode locking and selection, spectral analysis, and feedback control. The optimal performance of wavelength discriminators relies on maintaining precise and stable operating temperatures. Temperature fluctuations can lead to undesirable effects, such as wavelength drift, spectral broadening, and reduced spectral resolution. These effects can significantly impact the accuracy and reliability of the discriminator’s spectral response, thereby affecting the overall operation of the laser system . With the continuous advancement of laser systems toward higher power levels, narrower linewidths, heightened sensitivity to environmental factors, and increasingly demanding applications, challenges remain in the development of enhanced thermal management systems tailored to the specific needs wavelength of discriminators designed for laser applications.SUMMARY

[0004] The present disclosure relates to thermal management systems designed for controlling and regulating the operating temperature of wavelength discriminators employed in laser applications.

[0005] In accordance with an aspect, there is provided a laser system including: a laser source configured to generate laser light; a wavelength discriminator optically coupled with the laser source for receiving a portion of the laser light and generating wavelength-discriminated light conveying information about the laser light; anda thermal management system for the wavelength discriminator, the thermal management system including: a heat-spreading enclosure surrounding the wavelength discriminator to enable heat transfer to or from the wavelength discriminator; and a thermal regulation device configured to regulate the temperature of the wavelength discriminator through thermal coupling mediated by the heat-spreading enclosure.

[0006] In some embodiments, the heat-spreading enclosure includes: an enclosure body with an enclosure wall defining a cavity configured to house the wavelength discriminator; an input optical port configured to allow the laser light to enter the enclosure body and reach the wavelength discriminator; and an output optical port configured to allow the wavelength-discriminated light to exit the enclosure body.

[0007] In some embodiments, the enclosure wall extends longitudinally around the wavelength discriminator between a first end and a second end. In some embodiments, the first end of the enclosure wall features a first opening serving as the input optical port and the second end of the enclosure wall featuring a second opening serving as the output optical port. In other embodiments, either one of the first and second ends of the enclosure wall features an opening serving as both the input optical port and the output optical port.

[0008] In some embodiments, a longitudinal extent of the enclosure wall exceeds a longitudinal extent of the wavelength discriminator.

[0009] In some embodiments, the enclosure wall is folded over itself along a peripheral portion thereof. In some embodiments, the enclosure wall is in direct mechanical contact with itself along the peripheral portion, without a permanent bond. In other embodiments, the enclosure wall is securely joined to itself along the peripheral portion. In such cases, the secure joint may include welding, soldering, or adhesive bonding.

[0010] In some embodiments, the wavelength discriminator is suspended within the cavity from an attachment point on the enclosure wall. In some embodiments, the thermal management system further includes an adhesive positioned between and bonding the wavelength discriminator to the enclosure wall at the attachment point. In some embodiments, the adhesive includes a heat-insulating material. In some embodiments, the adhesive includes epoxy.

[0011] In some embodiments, the thermal regulation device connects to the heat-spreading enclosure at a heat-transfer point on the enclosure wall. In some embodiments, the attachment point and the heat-transfer point are positioned at substantially opposite locations along a periphery of the enclosure wall. In other embodiments, the attachment point and the heat-transfer point are positioned on a same side along a periphery of the enclosure wall.

[0012] In some embodiments, the heat-spreading enclosure is made of aluminum. In some embodiments, the heat-spreading enclosure has a hollow prismatic or cylindrical configuration.

[0013] In some embodiments, the thermal regulation device includes a thermoelectric cooler. In some embodiments, the thermal regulation device includes a resistive heater.

[0014] In some embodiments, the thermal management system includes athermal controller configured to receive feedback about the wavelength discriminator and control the temperature of the wavelength discriminator via the thermal regulation device based on the received feedback. In some embodiments, the thermal management system includes a temperature sensor configured to monitor the temperature of the wavelength discriminator, with the received feedback including the monitored temperature. In some embodiments, the received feedback includes a measured characteristic of the wavelength-discriminated light generated by the wavelength discriminator. In some embodiments, the measured characteristic includes an optical power signal.

[0015] In some embodiments, the laser source includes a semiconductor laser, for example, a distributed feedback laser diode.

[0016] In some embodiments, the wavelength discriminator includes an optical etalon, for example, a Fabry-Perot etalon. In some embodiments, the Faby-Perot etalon is a solid etalon. In some embodiments, the wavelength discriminator includes an optical Bragg grating.

[0017] In accordance with another aspect, there is provided athermal management system for a wavelength discriminator coupled to a laser source, the thermal management system including: a heat-spreading enclosure for surrounding the wavelength discriminator to enable heat transfer to or from the wavelength discriminator; and a thermal regulation device configured to regulate the temperature of the wavelength discriminator through thermal coupling mediated by the heat-spreading enclosure.

[0018] In some embodiments, the heat-spreading enclosure includes:an enclosure body with an enclosure wall defining a cavity configured to house the wavelength discriminator; an input optical port configured to allow the laser light to enter the enclosure body and reach the wavelength discriminator; and an output optical port configured to allow wavelength-discriminated light to exit the enclosure body.

[0019] In some embodiments, the enclosure wall extends longitudinally between a first end and a second end, with the first end featuring a first opening serving as the input optical port and the second end featuring a second opening serving as the output optical port. In other embodiments, the enclosure wall extends longitudinally between a first end and a second end, with either one of the first and second ends of the enclosure wall featuring an opening serving as both the input optical port and the output optical port.

[0020] In some embodiments, the enclosure wall is folded over itself along a peripheral portion thereof. In some embodiments, the enclosure wall is in direct mechanical contact with itself along the peripheral portion, without a permanent bond. In other embodiments, the enclosure wall is securely joined to itself along the peripheral portion. In such cases, the secure joint may include welding, soldering, or adhesive bonding.

[0021] In some embodiments, the heat-spreading enclosure is made of aluminum. In some embodiments, the heat-spreading enclosure has a hollow prismatic or cylindrical configuration.

[0022] In some embodiments, the thermal regulation device includes a thermoelectric cooler. In some embodiments, the thermal regulation device includes a resistive heater.

[0023] In some embodiments, the thermal management system includes athermal controller configured to receive feedback relating to the wavelength discriminator and control the temperature of the wavelength discriminator via the thermal regulation device based on the received feedback. In some embodiments, the thermal management system includes a temperature sensor configured to monitor the temperature of the wavelength discriminator, with the received feedback including the monitored temperature. In some embodiments, the received feedback includes a measured characteristic of wavelength-discriminated light generated by the wavelength discriminator.

[0024] In accordance with another aspect, there is provided a wavelength discriminator assembly for use with a laser source, the wavelength discriminator assembly including: a wavelength discriminator configured to receive laser light from the laser source and generate wavelength-discriminated light conveying information about the laser light;a thermal management system for the wavelength discriminator, the thermal management system including: a heat-spreading enclosure surrounding the wavelength discriminator to transfer heat thereto or dissipate heat therefrom; and a thermal regulation device configured to regulate the temperature of the wavelength discriminator through thermal coupling mediated by the heat-spreading enclosure.

[0025] In some embodiments, the heat-spreading enclosure includes: an enclosure body with an enclosure wall defining a cavity configured to house the wavelength discriminator; an input optical port configured to allow the laser light to enter the enclosure body and reach the wavelength discriminator; and an output optical port configured to allow the wavelength-discriminated light to exit the enclosure body.

[0026] In some embodiments, the enclosure wall extends longitudinally around the wavelength discriminator between a first end and a second end. In some embodiments, the first end of the enclosure wall features a first opening serving as the input optical port and the second end of the enclosure wall featuring a second opening serving as the output optical port. In other embodiments, either one of the first and second ends of the enclosure wall features an opening serving as both the input optical port and the output optical port.

[0027] In some embodiments, a longitudinal extent of the enclosure wall exceeds a longitudinal extent of the wavelength discriminator.

[0028] In some embodiments, the enclosure wall is folded over itself along a peripheral portion thereof. In some embodiments, the enclosure wall is in direct mechanical contact with itself along the peripheral portion, without a permanent bond. In other embodiments, the enclosure wall is securely joined to itself along the peripheral portion. In such cases, the secure joint may include welding, soldering, or adhesive bonding.

[0029] In some embodiments, the wavelength discriminator is suspended within the cavity from an attachment point on the enclosure wall. In some embodiments, the thermal management system further includes an adhesive positioned between and bonding the wavelength discriminator to the enclosure wall at the attachment point. In some embodiments, the adhesive includes a heat-insulating material. In some embodiments, the adhesive includes epoxy.

[0030] In some embodiments, the thermal regulation device connects to the heat-spreading enclosure at a heat-transfer point on the enclosure wall. In some embodiments, the attachment point and the heat-transfer point are positioned at substantially opposite locations along a periphery of the enclosure wall. In other embodiments, the attachment point and the heat-transfer point are positioned on a same side along a periphery of the enclosure wall.

[0031] In some embodiments, the heat-spreading enclosure is made of aluminum. In some embodiments, the heat-spreading enclosure has a hollow prismatic or cylindrical configuration.

[0032] In some embodiments, the thermal regulation device includes a thermoelectric cooler. In some embodiments, the thermal regulation device includes a resistive heater.

[0033] In some embodiments, the thermal management system includes athermal controller configured to receive feedback relating to the wavelength discriminator and control the temperature of the wavelength discriminator via the thermal regulation device based on the received feedback. In some embodiments, the thermal management system includes a temperature sensor configured to monitor the temperature of the wavelength discriminator, with the received feedback including the monitored temperature. In some embodiments, the received feedback includes a measured characteristic of the wavelength-discriminated light generated by the wavelength discriminator.

[0034] In some embodiments, the wavelength discriminator includes an optical etalon, for example, a Fabry-Perot etalon. In some embodiments, the Faby-Perot etalon is a solid etalon. In some embodiments, the wavelength discriminator includes an optical Bragg grating.

[0035] In accordance with another aspect, there is provided a method for thermally managing a wavelength discriminator configured for generating wavelength-discriminated light conveying information about laser light received from a laser source, the method including: enclosing the wavelength discriminator within a heat-spreading enclosure to enable heat transfer to or from the wavelength discriminator; and regulating the temperature of the wavelength discriminator through thermal coupling via the heatspreading enclosure, using a thermal regulation device.

[0036] In some embodiments, the method further includes providing the heat-spreading enclosure with: an enclosure wall defining a cavity to house the wavelength discriminator; an input optical port to allow the laser light to enter the enclosure body and reach the wavelength discriminator; and an output optical port to allow the wavelength-discriminated light to exit the enclosure body.

[0037] In some embodiments, the method further includes folding the enclosure wall over itself along a peripheral portion thereof. In some embodiments, folding the enclosure wall includes placing the enclosure wall in direct mechanical contact with itself along the peripheral portion, without a permanent bond. In other embodiments, folding the enclosure wall including securely joining the enclosure wall to itself along the peripheral portion, for example, by using welding, soldering, or adhesive bonding.

[0038] In some embodiments, the method further includes suspending the wavelength discriminator within the cavity from an attachment point on the enclosure wall. In some embodiments, suspending the wavelength discriminator includes bonding the wavelength discriminator to the enclosure wall at the attachment point using an adhesive. In some embodiments, the adhesive includes a heat-insulating material. In some embodiments, the adhesive includes epoxy.

[0039] In some embodiments, the method further includes connecting the thermal regulation device to the heat-spreading enclosure at a heat-transfer point on the enclosure wall. In some embodiments, connecting the thermal regulation device to the heat-spreading enclosure includes positioning the heat-transfer point at a substantially opposite location from the attachment point along a periphery of the enclosure wall. In other embodiments, connecting the thermal regulation device to the heat-spreading enclosure includes positioning the heat-transfer point on a same side as the attachment point along a periphery of the enclosure wall.

[0040] In some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving feedback relating to the wavelength discriminator; and controlling the temperature of the wavelength discriminator via the thermal regulation device based on the received feedback. In some embodiments, the method further includes monitoring the temperature of the wavelength discriminator, with the received feedback including the monitored temperature. In some embodiments, the method further includes measuring a characteristic of the wavelength-discriminated light generated by the wavelength discriminator, with the received feedback including the measured characteristic.

[0041] In some embodiments, the method further includes providing the wavelength discriminator as an optical etalon, for example, a Fabry-Perot etalon. In some embodiments, the Faby-Perot etalon is a solid etalon. In some embodiments, the method further includes providing the wavelength discriminator as an optical Bragg grating.

[0042] In accordance with another aspect, there is provided a laser system including: a laser source configured to generate laser light;a wavelength discriminator optically coupled with the laser source for receiving a portion of the laser light and generating wavelength-discriminated light conveying information about a characteristic of the laser light; and a thermal management system for the wavelength discriminator, the thermal management system including: a heat-spreading shroud surrounding the wavelength discriminator to transfer heat thereto or dissipate heat therefrom; and a thermal regulation device configured to regulate the temperature of the wavelength discriminator through thermal coupling mediated by the heat-spreading shroud.

[0043] In accordance with another aspect, there is provided athermal management system for a wavelength discriminator coupled to a laser source, the thermal management system including: a heat-spreading shroud surrounding the wavelength discriminator to transfer heat thereto or dissipate heat therefrom; and a thermal regulation device configured to regulate the temperature of the wavelength discriminator through thermal coupling with the heat-spreading shroud.

[0044] In accordance with another aspect, there is provided a wavelength discriminator assembly for use with a laser source, the wavelength discriminator assembly including: a wavelength discriminator coupled to receive laser light from the laser source; a thermal management system for the wavelength discriminator, the thermal management system including: a heat-spreading shroud surrounding the wavelength discriminator to transfer heat thereto or dissipate heat therefrom; and a thermal regulation device configured to regulate the temperature of the wavelength discriminator through thermal coupling with the heat-spreading shroud.

[0045] Other method and process steps may be performed before, during, or after the steps described herein. The order of one or more steps may also differ, and some of the steps may be omitted, repeated, and / or combined, as the case may be. It is also to be noted that some steps may be performed using various analysis and processing techniques, which may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof.

[0046] Other objects, features, and advantages of the present techniques will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of specific embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the appended drawings. Although specific features described in the abovesummary and in the detailed description below may be described with respect to specific embodiments or aspects, it should be noted that these specific features may be combined with one another unless stated otherwise.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] Figs. 1 to 6 depict various aspects, features, and implementations of, or related to, the techniques disclosed herein.

[0048] Fig. 1 is a schematic top plan view of an embodiment of a laser system including a laser source, a wavelength discriminator, and a thermal management system with a heat-spreading enclosure and a thermal regulation device.

[0049] Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective side view of a wavelength discriminator assembly including the wavelength discriminator and the thermal management system of the laser system depicted in Fig. 1.

[0050] Fig. 3 is a schematic front elevation view of a wavelength discriminator assembly depicted in Fig. 2.

[0051] Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective side view of another embodiment of a wavelength discriminator assembly including a wavelength discriminator and a thermal management system.

[0052] Fig. 5 is a schematic front elevation view of another embodiment of a wavelength discriminator assembly including a wavelength discriminator and a thermal management system.

[0053] Fig. 6 is a flow diagram of a method for thermally managing a wavelength discriminator incorporated in a laser source.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] The present description pertains to systems and methods designed for the thermal regulation and control of wavelength discriminators, including optical etalons and Bragg gratings, utilized within laser applications. In laser systems, a wavelength discriminator receives a portion of light emitted from a laser source and generates a wavelength-discriminated output signal. This output signal acts as feedback to assess whether specific characteristics of the laser source meet predefined criteria. Enabling real-time adjustments to the laser source’s parameters based on the detected characteristics, the feedback loop provided by wavelength discriminators can serve various purposes in laser systems. These include tasks such as wavelength tuning and stabilization, spectral linewidth narrowing, noise mitigation, mode locking and selection, spectral analysis, and feedback control. Through continuous monitoring and adjustment of thelaser parameters in response to the discriminator’s output, the laser system can maintain precise spectral properties and stability, ensuring optical performance across various applications. However, the performance of wavelength discriminators is notably sensitive to fluctuations in temperature. Uncontrolled, these fluctuations can significantly impact the accuracy and reliability of the discriminator’s spectral response, subsequently affecting the overall functionality of the laser system.

[0055] The present techniques disclose a thermal management system for a wavelength discriminator coupled to a laser source within a laser system. This thermal management system generally includes a heatspreading enclosure surrounding the wavelength discriminator for heat exchange therewith, and a thermal regulation device configured to control the temperature of the wavelength discriminator. This control is achieved through thermal coupling mediated by the heat-spreading enclosure. Additionally, other aspects of the present disclosure involve a laser system including a laser source, a wavelength discriminator coupled to the laser source, and the aforementioned thermal management system. Also disclosed is a wavelength discriminator assembly, which integrates a wavelength discriminator and its thermal management system.

[0056] The disclosed techniques have applicability across a broad range of laser applications where effective thermal management of wavelength discriminators is advantageous or essential. These applications span diverse fields, including but not limited to, telecommunications, lidar remote sensing, distributed acoustic sensing, coherent fiber sensing, quantum communications and photonics, spectroscopy, and metrology.

[0057] Further aspects and implementations of the present techniques will be detailed below, with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0058] Referring to Fig. 1, an embodiment of a laser system 100 is depicted. The laser system 100 generally includes a laser source 102, a wavelength discriminator 104 optically coupled with the laser source 102, and athermal management system 106 for the wavelength discriminator 104. The laser source 102 is configured to generate laser light 108. The wavelength discriminator 104 is configured to receive a portion of the laser light 108 and generate wavelength-discriminated light 110 conveying information about a characteristic of the laser light 108. The thermal management system 106 includes a heat-spreading enclosure 112 surrounding the wavelength discriminator 104 to facilitate transfer heat to and from it, and a thermal regulation device 114 configured to adjust the temperature of the wavelength discriminator 104 via the heatspreading enclosure 112. The combination of the wavelength discriminator 104 and the thermal system management system 106 can be referred to as a wavelength discriminator assembly 116, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3.

[0059] Additional details regarding the structure, configuration, and operation of these and other possible components of the laser system 100 will be provided in the subsequent description. It is appreciated that Figs. 1 to 3, and other figures discussed later on, are schematic representations aimed at illustrating several components and features of the laser system 100. Consequently, additional components and features that may be useful or necessary for practical operation may not be specifically depicted.

[0060] The laser system 100 depicted in Fig. 1 includes a casing 118 designed to house and safeguard its internal components, including the laser source 102, the wavelength discriminator 104, and the thermal management system 106. The casing 118 is typically constructed from sturdy materials such as molded plastic or metals. In some embodiments, the casing 118 serves as a protective packaging for the laser system 100, shielding it from environmental factors during use. The casing 118 adopts a substantially rectangular prismatic form in the illustrated embodiment, although alternative configurations are possible. Common packaging formats in the industry include butterfly-type packages, such as 14-pin butterfly packages with optical fiber coupling, although various standard and custom package designs are possible. The laser system 100 may be available in portable or fixed instrument configurations, depending on the intended application or specific requirements.

[0061] The laser source 102 can include semiconductor lasers, including laser diodes such as distributed- feedback (DFB) lasers or distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) lasers. However, various other types of laser sources can be used, such as solid-state lasers, including bulk crystal lasers and fiber lasers; gas lasers, including excimer lasers and ion lasers; and dye lasers. The laser light 108 emitted by the laser source 102 may fall within the visible, ultraviolet, or near-infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum. For example, the laser light 108 may fall within a wavelength range from about 200 run to about 2000 run. In certain instances, the laser light 108 may fall within a wavelength range from about 1250 nm to about 1650 run, encompassing common telecommunications wavebands, such as the C-band (1530 nm to 1565 run) and the L-band (1565 nm to 1625 run).

[0062] The choice of the laser source 102 may depend on various factors, including the desired spectral characteristics, frequency stability, beam quality, output power, pulse characteristics, compactness, reliability, and cost. The laser source 102 may operate in a continuous-wave or pulsed regime, depending on the application requirements. It is appreciated that the principles and operation of laser sources are generally known in the art and need not be extensively described herein, except to aid in understanding the present techniques.

[0063] The path followed by the laser light 108 within the laser system 100 will now be described. It is appreciated that the configuration of the laser system 100 depicted in Fig. 1 is presented here for illustrativepurposes only, and various other configurations are possible. The laser light 108 first encounters a collimating lens 120, which collects the laser light 108 and forms a collimated beam. Subsequently, the laser light 108 passes through an isolator 122, designed to prevent undesired reflections of the laser light 108 back onto the laser source 102. Following this, the laser light 108 reaches a double-tap assembly 124 including two successive beamsplitters 126, 128.

[0064] The first beamsplitter 126 transmits a small portion of the laser light 108 onto a first photodetector 130 and reflects the remaining light onto the second beamsplitter 128. The first photodetector 130 is utilized for the internal monitoring of the laser source 102’s output power. The second beamsplitter 128 divides the laser light 108 reflected by the first beamsplitter 126 into two paths. In the transmission path, a fraction of the laser light 108 is reflected by a mirror 132 and passes through a prism 134 for beam displacement and alignment before reaching the wavelength discriminator 104. Meanwhile, in the reflection path, the remaining portion of the laser light 108 encounters a focusing lens 136, which directs the laser light 108 into a delivery optical fiber 138. This optical fiber 138 allows for the laser light 108 to exit the casing 118 and reach its intended destination.

[0065] The wavelength discriminator 104 functions as a wavelength-selective component that, depending on its design, selectively transmits or reflects a specific wavelength or a narrow waveband as the wavelength-discriminated light 110. The wavelength-discriminated light 110 is directed onto a second photodetector 140 by a focusing lens 142 to generate an electrical detection signal. This detection signal may be representative of the detected wavelength of the laser light 108. The detection signal is then fed into a laser controller 144, where it is compared against a reference signal. This reference signal may represent a desired wavelength for the laser light 108. The comparison, which can be done using various methods, generates an error signal that quantifies the difference between the detection signal and the reference signal.

[0066] The laser controller 144 employs this error signal to adjust certain operating parameters of the laser source 102, aiming to minimize the error signal. The feedback loop continues to adjust the operating parameters until the detected signal matches the reference signal within a predefined tolerance of each other. Once stabilized, the output of the laser source 102 remains locked to the desired wavelength.

[0067] In the illustrated embodiment, the laser controller 144 is fully integrated within the casing 118. However, alternative embodiments may involve partial integration or physical separation of the laser controller 144 from the casing 118. The laser controller 144 typically includes one or more processors and one or more memories, implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. The laser controller 144 can provide signal and data transmission through wired or wireless communication links, and can be operated via direct user input and / or programmed instructions.

[0068] Any suitable wavelength-selective component whose temperature or thermal behavior may benefit from enhanced regulation and control can be employed as the wavelength discriminator 104. Depending on the intended application or specific requirements, this wavelength-selective component can exhibit a wavelength-dependent reflection or transmission spectrum, or another wavelength-dependent optical characteristic. In the illustrated embodiment, the wavelength discriminator 104 includes an optical etalon, such as a Fabry-Perot etalon. A Fabry-Perot etalon includes two partially reflecting mirrors parallel to each other, separated by a precise distance. The distance between the mirrors determines the resonant wavelengths that the etalon will transmit or reflect. Fabry-Perot etalons can be tuned by adjusting the separation between the mirrors and / or the refractive index of the material between them. Different types of Faby-Perot etalons exist, including air-spaced etalons, and solid etalons made of materials like fused silica. In other embodiments, other types of optical etalons can be utilized, such as Michelson and Mach-Zehnder etalons. Additionally, other possible types of wavelength-selective components that can serve as the wavelength discriminator 104 include optical Bragg gratings (e.g., volume or fiber Bragg gratings) and optical filters (e.g., low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, and band-stop filters). These components provide various approaches to wavelength discrimination, offering versatility to meet the requirements of different laser systems. It is appreciated that the principles and operation of wavelength discriminators used for adjusting the operation of laser sources are generally known in the art and need not be extensively described herein, except to aid in understanding the present techniques.

[0069] As previously mentioned, the performance of wavelength discriminators is sensitive to fluctuations in temperature, with uncontrolled temperature variations potentially adversely affecting the discriminator’s spectral response and thereby impacting the laser system’s operation.

[0070] Referring still to Fig. 1, as well as Figs. 2 and 3, illustrating two distinct views of the discriminator assembly 116 of Fig. 1, the discriminator assembly 116 includes the wavelength discriminator 104 and its thermal management system 106. It is appreciated that the configuration of the discriminator assembly 116 depicted in Figs. 2 and 3 is presented here for illustrative purposes only, and various other configurations are possible.

[0071] The illustrated thermal management system 106 includes the heat-spreading enclosure 112 surrounding the wavelength discriminator 104 to exchange heat with it, and the thermal regulation device 114 to adjust the temperature of the wavelength discriminator 104 via the heat-spreading enclosure 112. The heat-spreading enclosure 112 is a housing, cover, or shroud typically made of heat- conducting materials such aluminum, copper, titanium, tungsten, nickel-cobalt ferrous alloys (e.g., Kovar®), and copper-tungsten alloys to allow uniform heat distribution within it and efficient transfer toand from the wavelength discriminator 104. Other relevant materials can include ceramics and certain plastics with high thermal conductivity.

[0072] The thermal regulation device 114 may include various types of heating devices or combinations of such devices, such as thermoelectric coolers and resistive heaters. In one embodiment, the thermal regulation device 114 includes a thermoelectric cooler 180 and a resistive heater 182 (e.g., a microheater). The thermoelectric cooler 180 serves to regulate the temperature of both the wavelength discriminator 104 and the laser source 102, while the resistive heater 182 is utilized to provide more precise temperature adjustments for the discriminator 104. Depending on the configuration, the thermoelectric cooler 180 and the resistive heater 182 may be integrated within a single device or implemented as individual components that, while not collocated in the same physical element, function together as the thermal regulation device 114. When separate, the thermoelectric cooler 180 and the resistive heater 182 may be positioned at different locations on the exterior of the enclosure body 146. Additionally, in some instances, they may be spaced apart on the enclosure wall 148 rather than being in direct contact.

[0073] In the depicted embodiment, the heat-spreading enclosure 112 includes an enclosure body 146 with an enclosure wall 148 enclosing a hollow interior forming a cavity 150 designed to house the wavelength discriminator 104. The heat-spreading enclosure 112 also includes an input optical port 152 configured to allow the laser light 108 to enter the enclosure body 146 and reach the wavelength discriminator 104, and an output optical port 154 configured to allow the wavelength-discriminated light 110 to exit the enclosure body 146 and reach the second photodetector 140. The enclosure wall 148 extends longitudinally around the wavelength discriminator 104, spanning from a first end 156 to a second end 158. The first end 156 features a first opening serving as the input optical port 152, while the second end 158 features a second opening serving as the output optical port 154. In alternative scenarios, notably where the wavelength discriminator 104 is utilized in reflection rather than transmission, the heat-spreading enclosure 112 may feature a single opening acting as both the input optical port 152 and the output optical port 154, rather than two distinct openings. This configuration is illustrated in Fig. 4, where the first end 156 of the enclosure wall 148 serves as both the input optical port 154 and the output optical port 154.

[0074] Returning to Figs. 2 and 3, the heat-spreading enclosure 112 has a substantially rectangular prismatic configuration along its longitudinal axis, matching the shape of the wavelength discriminator 104. However, other arrangements, such as cylindrical or various prismatic shapes, are possible. The dimensions of the enclosure body 146 can vary depending on specific application requirements. For instance, the longitudinal extent can range from about 1 mm to about 10 mm, the lateral extent from about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm, and the enclosure wall thickness from about 0.2 pm to about 0.5 pm. In the illustratedembodiment, the longitudinal extent of the enclosure wall 148 exceeds the longitudinal extent of the wavelength discriminator 104, thereby enhancing its thermal performance. Additionally, folding the enclosure wall 148 over itself along a peripheral portion 160 thereof can further improve thermal efficiency and allow for better fabrication tolerances.

[0075] In some embodiments, it may be desirable for the enclosure wall 148 to be securely coupled to itself along the peripheral portion 160. This coupling can take various forms. In the simplest configuration, coupling is achieved by the folding of the enclosure wall 148 over itself, ensuring direct pressing or resting mechanical contact along the peripheral portion 160, without forming a permanent bond through the use of a joining process or material. While folding may be a cost-effective method of assembly, a more robust and reliable coupling approach may be preferred. In other embodiments, the enclosure wall 148 may be coupled to itself along the peripheral portion 160 using welding or soldering. These techniques may include laser welding, electronic welding, or any other type of welding, potentially involving partial melting of the enclosure wall 148 on either side along the peripheral portion 160. Alternatively, adhesive bonding or other types of chemical bonding may be used to couple the enclosure wall 148 to itself along the peripheral portion 160. Such bonding processes may include glue, such as epoxy, or other chemical means to securely join the enclosure wall 148 and the peripheral portion 160.

[0076] As shown more specifically in Fig. 3, the wavelength discriminator 104 is suspended within the cavity 150 from an attachment point 162 on the interior surface of the enclosure wall 148. The enclosure wall 148 includes a top wall portion 164, a bottom wall portion 166, and two side wall portions 168, 170, with the attachment point 162 located on the top wall portion 164. This single -attachment-point configuration, in which the suspended wavelength discriminator 104 avoids contact with the three other wall portions 166, 168, 170, helps reduce mechanical stresses on the wavelength discriminator 104. The thermal regulation device 114 is situated outside the heat-spreading enclosure 112 and connected to it at a heat-transfer point 172 on an exterior surface of the enclosure wall 148. In the illustrated embodiment, the heat-transfer point 172 is located on the bottom wall portion 166 of the enclosure wall 148, such that the attachment point 162 and the heat-transfer point 172 are substantially opposite from each other along a periphery of the enclosure wall 148. This configuration helps in reducing stresses on the wavelength discriminator 104 and improving its temperature uniformity.

[0077] The placement of the thermal regulation device 114 may be varied depending on the application. In Fig. 3, the thermal regulation device 114 is shown on the opposite side of the wavelength discriminator 104 from the adhesive 174. In other examples, the thermal regulation device 114 may be positioned on the sameside of the wavelength discriminator 104 as the adhesive 174, as illustrated in Fig. 5, or on one of the two side wall portions 168, 170 of the enclosure wall 148.

[0078] Returning to Figs. 2 and 3, the thermal management system 106 incorporates an adhesive 174 placed between the wavelength discriminator 104 and the enclosure wall 148 to join the two components together at the attachment point 162. Various alternative fastening methods can be employed to connect the wavelength discriminator 104 to the enclosure wall 148, whether in a suspended arrangement or not, including welding, soldering, springs, screws, rivets, clamps, hooks, and clips.

[0079] The selection of the adhesive 174 can be tailored to the specific requirements of the application and may consider several factors, such as the compositions of the wavelength discriminator 104 and the heatspreading enclosure 112, the desired bond strength, the anticipated operating temperature range of the bond, the environmental conditions, and the ease of application. In certain embodiments, the adhesive 174 may incorporate a heat-insulating material, such as epoxy or silicone-based adhesives. However, using a heat- conducting adhesive material could be suitable for other applications. The selection of the adhesive material may consider the differing coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs) of the wavelength discriminator 104 and the enclosure body 146. Specifically, the composition of the adhesive 174 can be selected to withstand the stresses resulting from thermal expansion and contraction of the bonded materials without compromising the bond strength. It may be advantageous for the CTE of the adhesive material to closely match the average CTE of the discriminator and enclosure materials within the operating temperature range of the bond. In specific instances, epoxy or silicone-based adhesives can be formulated to be flexible or elastomeric, enabling them to accommodate movements between the bonded materials and reduce stress on the bond during temperature changes, particularly when the discriminator and enclosure materials exhibit significantly different CTEs. In the illustrated embodiment, an opening 184 is formed through the enclosure wall 148 for injecting the adhesive 174 during assembly.

[0080] Depending on the thermal conductivity of the adhesive 174, the heat transfer mechanisms between the wavelength discriminator 104 and the heat-spreading enclosure 112 can vary. In cases where the adhesive 174 is composed of a heat-conducting material, the heat exchange predominantly takes place through thermal conduction. Conversely, if the adhesive 174 is a heat-insulating material, the heat transfer occurs mainly via radiative heat transfer, convection, or both, with minimal or negligible contribution from heat conduction.

[0081] The laser system 100 depicted in Fig. 1 includes a thermal controller 176 configured to receive temperature-related feedback from the wavelength discriminator 104 and transmit a feedback signal to the thermal regulation device 114 based on the received feedback to adjust or maintain the temperature of thewavelength discriminator 104 to a specified operational setpoint. The illustrated laser system 100 also includes a temperature sensor 178 configured to monitor the temperature of the wavelength discriminator 104, with the monitored temperature providing at least part of the received feedback. The temperature sensor 178 can be embodied by various types of temperature sensing devices or combinations of such devices, including thermistors, thermocouples, pyrometers, and resistance temperature detectors. In certain embodiments, the temperature-related feedback may also or alternatively include a temperaturedependent characteristic of the wavelength-discriminated light 110 generated by the wavelength discriminator 104 and measured by the second photodetector 140, such as an optical power signal.

[0082] In the illustrated embodiment, the thermal controller 176 is fully integrated within the casing 118. However, alternative embodiments may involve partial integration or physical separation of the thermal controller 176 from the casing 118. The thermal controller 176 typically includes one or more processors and one or more memories, implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. The thermal controller 176 can provide signal and data transmission through wired or wireless communication links and can be operated via direct user input and / or programmed instructions. Depending on the specific application, the thermal controller 176 and the laser controller 144 may or may not be integrated within the same controller unit.

[0083] In some instances, the laser system 100 may include one or more user interfaces (not shown) connected to the laser controller 144 and the thermal controller 176. These interfaces can include input devices such as touch screens and control buttons, as well as output devices such as display screens and visual or audible indicators. These devices enable users to input commands and queries, and receive the corresponding results.

[0084] Fig. 6 depicts a flow diagram of a method 200 for thermally managing a wavelength discriminator configured for generating wavelength-discriminated light conveying information about laser light received from a laser source. The method may be implemented in a laser system 100 as described above, or in another suitable system. The method 200 generally includes a step 202 of enclosing the wavelength discriminator within a heat-spreading enclosure to enable heat transfer to or from the wavelength discriminator, and a step of 204 of regulating the temperature of the wavelength discriminator through thermal coupling via the heatspreading enclosure, using a thermal regulation device.

[0085] In some embodiments, the method 200 includes a step of providing the heat-spreading enclosure with an enclosure wall defining a cavity to house the wavelength discriminator, an input optical port to allow the laser light to enter the enclosure body and reach the wavelength discriminator, and an output optical port to allow the wavelength-discriminated light to exit the enclosure body. In some embodiments, themethod 200 includes a step of folding the enclosure wall over itself along a peripheral portion thereof. In some instances, folding the enclosure wall includes placing the enclosure wall in direct mechanical contact with itself along the peripheral portion, without a permanent bond. Alternatively, folding the enclosure wall may involve securely joining the enclosure wall to itself along the peripheral portion, such as by using welding, soldering, or adhesive bonding.

[0086] In some embodiments, the method 200 includes suspending the wavelength discriminator within the cavity from an attachment point on the enclosure wall, for example, by bonding the wavelength discriminator to the enclosure wall at the attachment point using an adhesive (e.g., epoxy or another heatinsulating material). In certain configurations, the method 200 involves connecting the thermal regulation device to the heat-spreading enclosure at a heat-transfer point on the enclosure wall. In some scenarios, the heat-transfer point is positioned at a substantially opposite location from the attachment point along a periphery of the enclosure wall, while in other embodiments, the heat-transfer point is positioned on a same side as the attachment point along a periphery of the enclosure wall.

[0087] In some embodiments, the method 200 includes a step of receiving feedback relating to the wavelength discriminator, and a step of controlling the temperature of the wavelength discriminator via the thermal regulation device based on the received feedback. In such embodiments, the method 200 may include a step of monitoring the temperature of the wavelength discriminator, with the received feedback including the monitored temperature. Additionally, or alternatively, the method 200 may include measuring a characteristic (e.g., an optical power signal) of the wavelength-discriminated light generated by the wavelength discriminator, with the received feedback comprising the measured characteristic.

[0088] In some embodiments, the method 200 includes providing the wavelength discriminator as an optical etalon (e.g., a Fabry-Perot etalon, which can be a solid etalon), while in other embodiments, the wavelength discriminator is provided as an optical Bragg grating.

[0089] It is noted that various aspects and features described above with reference to system embodiments are also applicable to method embodiments.

[0090] In the present disclosure, similar features in the drawings have been given similar reference numerals. To avoid cluttering certain figures, some elements may not be indicated if they were already identified in a preceding figure. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily depicted to scale since emphasis is placed on clearly illustrating the elements and structures of the present embodiments. Positional descriptors indicating the location and / or orientation of one element with respect to another element are used herein for ease and clarity of description. Unless otherwise indicated, these positional descriptorsshould be taken in the context of the figures and should not be considered limiting. In particular, positional descriptors are intended to encompass different orientations in the use or operation of the present embodiments, in addition to the orientations exemplified in the figures. Furthermore, when a first element is referred to as being “on”, “above”, “below”, “over”, or “under” a second element, the first element can be either directly or indirectly on, above, below, over, or under the second element, respectively, such that one or multiple intervening elements may be disposed between the first element and the second element.

[0091] The terms “a”, “an”, and “one” are defined herein to mean “at least one”, that is, these terms do not exclude a plural number of elements, unless stated otherwise.

[0092] The term “or” is defined as “and / or”, unless stated otherwise.

[0093] Terms such as “substantially”, “generally”, and “about”, which modify a value, condition, or characteristic should be understood to mean that the value, condition, or characteristic falls within acceptable tolerances for the proper functioning of the described embodiment or within an acceptable range of experimental error. In particular, the term “about” generally denotes a range of values that one skilled in the art would consider equivalent to the stated value (e.g., having the same or an equivalent function or result). In some instances, the term “about” means a variation of ±10% of the stated value. It is noted that all numeric values used herein are assumed to be modified by the term “about”, unless stated otherwise. The term “between” refers to a range defined by endpoints, inclusive of both endpoints, unless stated otherwise.

[0094] The term “based on” as used herein is intended to mean “based at least in part on”, whether directly or indirectly, and to encompass both “based solely on” and “based partly on”. In particular, the term “based on” may also be understood as meaning “from”, “depending on”, “representative of’, “indicative of’, “associated with”, “relating to”, and the like.

[0095] The terms “match”, “matching”, and “matched” refer herein to a condition where two elements are either identical or within a predetermined tolerance of each other. These terms encompass not only exact matches but also substantial, approximate, or subjective matches, as well as a best or highest match among various matching possibilities.

[0096] The terms “connected” and “coupled”, along with their derivatives and variants, refer herein to any form of connection or coupling, whether direct or indirect, between two or more elements, unless stated otherwise. This connection or coupling can take various forms, including, but not limited to, mechanical, optical, electrical, magnetic, thermal, chemical, logical, fluidic, operational, or any combination thereof.

[0097] The term “concurrently” refers herein to the simultaneous or overlapping occurrence of two or more processes. The term “concurrently” does not necessarily imply complete synchronicity but encompasses various scenarios. These scenarios include the simultaneous occurrence of two processes; a first process that both begins and ends during the duration of a second process; and a first process that starts during the duration of a second process but ends after the second process is completed.

[0098] The term “measured” when referring to a quantity or parameter is intended to mean that the quantity or parameter can be measured either directly or indirectly. In the case of indirect measurement, the quantity or parameter can be derived, retrieved, inferred or otherwise determined from directly measured data.

[0099] The terms “light” and “optical”, along with their variants and derivatives, encompass radiation across any appropriate region of the electromagnetic spectrum. This includes not only visible light but also extends to invisible regions such as the terahertz (THz), infrared (IR), and ultraviolet (UV) spectral bands. For instance, in certain embodiments, the disclosed techniques can be implemented with optical signals having a bandwidth lying within a wavelength band ranging from about 1250 nm to about 1650 nm (e.g., the C-band from 1530 nm to 1565 nm and the L-band from 1565 nm to 1625 nm). However, it should be noted that this wavelength range is provided for illustrative purposes, and the disclosed techniques may extend beyond this range. Furthermore, all descriptions provided herein as a function of wavelength could also be formulated as a function of frequency, wave number, energy, or other pertinent spectral parameters.

[0100] The term “processor” as used herein broadly refers to any electronic device, circuitry, or component capable of processing, receiving, or transmitting data or instructions, such as computer programs, commands, functions, processes, software codes, executables, applications, and similar entities. The term “processor” is meant to encompass a single processor or processing unit, multiple processors or processing units, or other suitably configured processing elements. When a processor includes multiple processing elements, the processing elements may be located at a single site or distributed across multiple sites interconnected by a communication network. Examples of communication networks include local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs) such as the Internet. Non-limiting examples of processors include general-purpose single- or multi-core processors; central processing units (CPUs); microprocessors; controllers; microcontrollers; digital signal processors (DSPs); programmable logic devices; a field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs); application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs); digital processors or circuits; analog processors or circuits; state machines; and / or any other device capable of processing information.

[0101] The term “memory” as used herein broadly refers to any electronic device, circuitry, or component capable of storing electronic data or information. In some instances, the term “memory” may be usedinterchangeably with the term “computer readable storage medium”. The term “memory” is meant to encompass a single memory or memory unit, multiple memories or memory units, or other suitably configured memory elements. When a memory includes multiple memory elements, these elements may be located at a single site or distributed across multiple sites interconnected by a communication network. Non- limiting examples of memories include random-access memories (RAM) of any type; read-only memories (ROM) of any type; magnetic storage devices; optical storage devices; solid-state drive (SSD) devices, such as flash drive memories; and any other tangible and / or non-transitory computer readable medium capable of storing electronic data or information.

[0102] Numerous modifications could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A laser system comprising: a laser source configured to generate laser light; a wavelength discriminator optically coupled with the laser source for receiving a portion of the laser light and generating wavelength-discriminated light conveying information about the laser light; and a thermal management system for the wavelength discriminator, the thermal management system comprising: a heat-spreading enclosure surrounding the wavelength discriminator to enable heat transfer to or from the wavelength discriminator; and a thermal regulation device configured to regulate the temperature of the wavelength discriminator through thermal coupling mediated by the heat-spreading enclosure.

2. The laser system of claim 1, wherein the heat-spreading enclosure comprises: an enclosure body with an enclosure wall defining a cavity configured to house the wavelength discriminator; an input optical port configured to allow the laser light to enter the enclosure body and reach the wavelength discriminator; and an output optical port configured to allow the wavelength-discriminated light to exit the enclosure body.

3. The laser system of claim 2, wherein the enclosure wall extends longitudinally around the wavelength discriminator between a first end and a second end.

4. The laser system of claim 3, wherein the first end of the enclosure wall features a first opening serving as the input optical port and the second end of the enclosure wall featuring a second opening serving as the output optical port.

5. The laser system of claim 3, wherein either one of the first and second ends of the enclosure wall features an opening serving as both the input optical port and the output optical port.

6. The laser system of any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein a longitudinal extent of the enclosure wall exceeds a longitudinal extent of the wavelength discriminator.

7. The laser system of any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the enclosure wall is folded over itself along a peripheral portion thereof.

8. The laser system of claim 7, wherein the enclosure wall is in direct mechanical contact with itself along the peripheral portion, without a permanent bond.

9. The laser system of claim 7, wherein the enclosure wall is securely joined to itself along the peripheral portion.

10. The laser system of claim 9, wherein the secure joint comprises welding, soldering, or adhesive bonding.11 . The laser system of any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein the wavelength discriminator is suspended within the cavity from an attachment point on the enclosure wall.

12. The laser system of claim 11 wherein the thermal management system further comprises an adhesive positioned between and bonding the wavelength discriminator to the enclosure wall at the attachment point.

13. The laser system of claim 12, wherein the adhesive comprises a heat-insulating material.

14. The laser system of claim 12 or 13, wherein the adhesive comprises epoxy.

15. The laser system of any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the thermal regulation device connects to the heat-spreading enclosure at a heat-transfer point on the enclosure wall.

16. The laser system of claim 15, wherein the attachment point and the heat-transfer point are positioned at substantially opposite locations along a periphery of the enclosure wall.

17. The laser system of claim 15, wherein the attachment point and the heat-transfer point are positioned on a same side along a periphery of the enclosure wall.

18. The laser system of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the heat-spreading enclosure is made of aluminum.

19. The laser system of any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the heat-spreading enclosure has a hollow prismatic or cylindrical configuration.

20. The laser system of any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the thermal regulation device comprises a thermoelectric cooler.21 . The laser system of any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the thermal regulation device comprises a resistive heater.

22. The laser system of any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the thermal management system comprises a thermal controller configured to receive feedback about the wavelength discriminator and control the temperature of the wavelength discriminator via the thermal regulation device based on the received feedback.

23. The laser system of claim 22, wherein the thermal management system comprises a temperature sensor configured to monitor the temperature of the wavelength discriminator, with the received feedback comprising the monitored temperature.

24. The laser system of claim 22 or 23, wherein the received feedback comprises a measured characteristic of the wavelength-discriminated light generated by the wavelength discriminator.

25. The laser system of claim 24, wherein the measured characteristic comprises an optical power signal.

26. The laser system of any one of claims 1 to 25, wherein the laser source comprises a semiconductor laser.

27. The laser system of claim 26, wherein the semiconductor laser comprises a distributed feedback laser diode.

28. The laser system of any one of claims 1 to 27, wherein the wavelength discriminator comprises an optical etalon.

29. The laser system of claim 28, wherein the optical etalon comprises a Fabry-Perot etalon.

30. The laser system of claim 29, wherein the Faby-Perot etalon is a solid etalon.31 . The laser system of any one of claims 1 to 27, wherein the wavelength discriminator comprises an optical Bragg grating.

32. A thermal management system for a wavelength discriminator coupled to a laser source, the thermal management system comprising: a heat-spreading enclosure for surrounding the wavelength discriminator to enable heat transfer to or from the wavelength discriminator; and a thermal regulation device configured to regulate the temperature of the wavelength discriminator through thermal coupling mediated by the heat-spreading enclosure.

33. The thermal management system of claim 32, wherein the heat-spreading enclosure comprises: an enclosure body with an enclosure wall defining a cavity configured to house the wavelength discriminator;an input optical port configured to allow the laser light to enter the enclosure body and reach the wavelength discriminator; and an output optical port configured to allow wavelength-discriminated light to exit the enclosure body.

34. The thermal management system of claim 33, wherein the enclosure wall extends longitudinally between a first end and a second end, with the first end featuring a first opening serving as the input optical port and the second end featuring a second opening serving as the output optical port.

35. The thermal management system of claim 33 , wherein the enclosure wall extends longitudinally between a first end and a second end, with either one of the first and second ends of the enclosure wall featuring an opening serving as both the input optical port and the output optical port.

36. The thermal management system of any one of claims 33 to 35, wherein the enclosure wall is folded over itself along a peripheral portion thereof.

37. The thermal management system of claim 36, wherein the enclosure wall is in direct mechanical contact with itself along the peripheral portion, without a permanent bond.

38. The thermal management system of claim 36, wherein the enclosure wall is securely joined to itself along the peripheral portion.

39. The thermal management system of claim 38, wherein the secure joint comprises welding, soldering, or adhesive bonding.

40. The thermal management system of any one of claims 32 to 39, wherein the heat-spreading enclosure is made of aluminum.

41. The thermal management system of any one of claims 32 to 40, wherein the heat-spreading enclosure has a hollow prismatic or cylindrical configuration.

42. The thermal management system of any one of claims 32 to 41, wherein the thermal regulation device comprises a thermoelectric cooler.

43. The thermal management system of any one of claims 32 to 42, wherein the thermal regulation device comprises a resistive heater.

44. The thermal management system of any one of claims 32 to 43, wherein the thermal management system comprises a thermal controller configured to receive feedback relating to the wavelength discriminator andcontrol the temperature of the wavelength discriminator via the thermal regulation device based on the received feedback.

45. The thermal management system of claim 44, wherein the thermal management system comprises a temperature sensor configured to monitor the temperature of the wavelength discriminator, with the received feedback comprising the monitored temperature.

46. The thermal management system of claim 44 or 45, wherein the received feedback comprises a measured characteristic of wavelength-discriminated light generated by the wavelength discriminator.

47. A wavelength discriminator assembly for use with a laser source, the wavelength discriminator assembly comprising: a wavelength discriminator configured to receive laser light from the laser source and generate wavelength-discriminated light conveying information about the laser light; a thermal management system for the wavelength discriminator, the thermal management system comprising: a heat-spreading enclosure surrounding the wavelength discriminator to transfer heat thereto or dissipate heat therefrom; and a thermal regulation device configured to regulate the temperature of the wavelength discriminator through thermal coupling mediated by the heat-spreading enclosure.

48. The wavelength discriminator assembly of claim 47, wherein the heat-spreading enclosure comprises: an enclosure body with an enclosure wall defining a cavity configured to house the wavelength discriminator; an input optical port configured to allow the laser light to enter the enclosure body and reach the wavelength discriminator; and an output optical port configured to allow the wavelength-discriminated light to exit the enclosure body.

49. The wavelength discriminator assembly of claim 48, wherein the enclosure wall extends longitudinally around the wavelength discriminator between a first end and a second end.

50. The wavelength discriminator assembly of claim 49, wherein the first end of the enclosure wall features a first opening serving as the input optical port and the second end of the enclosure wall featuring a second opening serving as the output optical port.51 . The wavelength discriminator assembly of claim 49, wherein either one of the first and second ends of the enclosure wall features an opening serving as both the input optical port and the output optical port.

52. The wavelength discriminator assembly of any one of claims 48 to 51, wherein a longitudinal extent of the enclosure wall exceeds a longitudinal extent of the wavelength discriminator.

53. The wavelength discriminator assembly of any one of claims 48 to 52, wherein the enclosure wall is folded over itself along a peripheral portion thereof.

54. The wavelength discriminator assembly of claim 53, wherein the enclosure wall is in direct mechanical contact with itself along the peripheral portion, without a permanent bond.

55. The wavelength discriminator assembly of claim 53, wherein the enclosure wall is securely joined to itself along the peripheral portion.

56. The wavelength discriminator assembly of claim 55, wherein the secure joint comprises welding, soldering, or adhesive bonding.

57. The wavelength discriminator assembly of any one of claims 48 to 56, wherein the wavelength discriminator is suspended within the cavity from an attachment point on the enclosure wall.

58. The wavelength discriminator assembly of claim 57, wherein the thermal management system further comprises an adhesive positioned between and bonding the wavelength discriminator to the enclosure wall at the attachment point.

59. The wavelength discriminator assembly of claim 58, wherein the adhesive comprises a heat-insulating material.

60. The wavelength discriminator assembly of claim 58 or 59, wherein the adhesive comprises epoxy.

61. The wavelength discriminator assembly of any one of claims 57 to 60, wherein the thermal regulation device connects to the heat-spreading enclosure at a heat-transfer point on the enclosure wall.

62. The wavelength discriminator assembly of claim 61, wherein the attachment point and the heat-transfer point are positioned at substantially opposite locations along a periphery of the enclosure wall.

63. The wavelength discriminator assembly of claim 61 , wherein the attachment point and the heat-transfer point are positioned on a same side along a periphery of the enclosure wall.

64. The wavelength discriminator assembly of any one of claims 47 to 63, wherein the heat-spreading enclosure is made of aluminum.

65. The wavelength discriminator assembly of any one of claims 47 to 64, wherein the heat-spreading enclosure has a hollow prismatic or cylindrical configuration.

66. The wavelength discriminator assembly of any one of claims 47 to 65, wherein the thermal regulation device comprises a thermoelectric cooler.

67. The wavelength discriminator assembly of any one of claims 47 to 66, wherein the thermal regulation device comprises a resistive heater.

68. The wavelength discriminator assembly of any one of claims 47 to 67, wherein the thermal management system comprises a thermal controller configured to receive feedback relating to the wavelength discriminator and control the temperature of the wavelength discriminator via the thermal regulation device based on the received feedback.

69. The wavelength discriminator assembly of claim 68, wherein the thermal management system comprises a temperature sensor configured to monitor the temperature of the wavelength discriminator, with the received feedback comprising the monitored temperature.

70. The wavelength discriminator assembly of claim 68 or 69, wherein the received feedback comprises a measured characteristic of the wavelength-discriminated light generated by the wavelength discriminator.

71. The wavelength discriminator assembly of any one of claims 47 to 70, wherein the wavelength discriminator comprises an optical etalon.

72. The wavelength discriminator assembly of claim 71, wherein the optical etalon comprises a Fabry-Perot etalon.

73. The wavelength discriminator assembly of claim 72, wherein the Faby-Perot etalon is a solid etalon.

74. The wavelength discriminator assembly of any one of claims 47 to 71, wherein the wavelength discriminator comprises an optical Bragg grating.

75. A method for thermally managing a wavelength discriminator configured for generating wavelength- discriminated light conveying information about laser light received from a laser source, the method comprising: enclosing the wavelength discriminator within a heat-spreading enclosure to enable heat transfer to or from the wavelength discriminator; andregulating the temperature of the wavelength discriminator through thermal coupling via the heatspreading enclosure, using a thermal regulation device.

76. The method of claim 75, further comprising providing the heat-spreading enclosure with: an enclosure wall defining a cavity to house the wavelength discriminator; an input optical port to allow the laser light to enter the enclosure body and reach the wavelength discriminator; and an output optical port to allow the wavelength-discriminated light to exit the enclosure body.

77. The method of claim 76, further comprising folding the enclosure wall over itself along a peripheral portion thereof.

78. The method of claim 77, wherein folding the enclosure wall comprises placing the enclosure wall in direct mechanical contact with itself along the peripheral portion, without a permanent bond.

79. The method of claim 77, wherein folding the enclosure wall comprising securely joining the enclosure wall to itself along the peripheral portion.

80. The method of claim 79, wherein securely joining the enclosure wall is performed using welding, soldering, or adhesive bonding.

81. The method of any one of claim 76 to 80, further comprising suspending the wavelength discriminator within the cavity from an attachment point on the enclosure wall.

82. The method of claim 81, wherein suspending the wavelength discriminator comprises bonding the wavelength discriminator to the enclosure wall at the attachment point using an adhesive.

83. The method of claim 82, wherein the adhesive comprises a heat-insulating material.

84. The method of claim 81 or 82, wherein the adhesive comprises epoxy.

85. The method of any one of claims 81 to 84, further comprising connecting the thermal regulation device to the heat-spreading enclosure at a heat-transfer point on the enclosure wall.

86. The method of claim 85, wherein connecting the thermal regulation device to the heat-spreading enclosure comprises positioning the heat-transfer point at a substantially opposite location from the attachment point along a periphery of the enclosure wall.

87. The method of claim 85, wherein connecting the thermal regulation device to the heat-spreading enclosure comprises positioning the heat-transfer point on a same side as the attachment point along a periphery of the enclosure wall.

88. The method of any one of claims 75 to 87, further comprising: receiving feedback relating to the wavelength discriminator; and controlling the temperature of the wavelength discriminator via the thermal regulation device based on the received feedback.

89. The method of claim 88, further comprising monitoring the temperature of the wavelength discriminator, with the received feedback comprising the monitored temperature.

90. The method of claim 88 or 89, further comprising measuring a characteristic of the wavelength- discriminated light generated by the wavelength discriminator, with the received feedback comprising the measured characteristic.

91. The method of any one of claims 75 to 90, further comprising providing the wavelength discriminator as an optical etalon.

92. The method of claim 91, wherein the optical etalon comprises a Fabry-Perot etalon.

93. The method of claim 92, wherein the Faby-Perot etalon is a solid etalon.

94. The method of any one of claims 75 to 91, further comprising providing the wavelength discriminator as an optical Bragg grating.

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