Title :
Frequency tuning characteristics and WDM channel access of the semiconductor three-branch Y3-lasers
Author :
Kuznetsov, M. ; Verlangieri, P. ; Dentai, A.G.
Author_Institution :
Crawford Hill Lab., AT&T Bell Labs., Holmdel, NJ, USA
Abstract :
We describe frequency tuning and channel access characteristics of the new, widely-tunable, multi-quantum-well three-branch Y3-lasers. The Y3-lasers are tuned discretely with two independent current controls: coarse tuning (5.5 nm, 680 GHz tuning steps) selects the desired optical frequency range, fine tuning selects the desired frequency channel (0.4 nm, 50 GHz channel spacing). For example, we demonstrate access to 50 channels over the /spl sim/31 nm free spectral range of the Y3-laser; 36 contiguous channels are accessed using three independent current controls. The coarse/fine "digital" tuning makes Y3-lasers very useful for wavelength-division-multiplexed (WDM) multi-channel optical communication systems.<>
Keywords :
laser tuning; optical communication equipment; semiconductor lasers; wavelength division multiplexing; WDM channel access; channel access characteristics; coarse tuning; fine tuning; frequency channel; frequency tuning characteristics; independent current controls; optical frequency range; semiconductor three-branch Y3-lasers; wavelength-division-multiplexed multi-channel optical communication systems; widely-tunable MQW three-branch Y3-lasers; Current control; Frequency; Laser modes; Laser tuning; Optical filters; Optical tuning; Optical variables control; Semiconductor lasers; Tunable circuits and devices; Wavelength division multiplexing;
Journal_Title :
Photonics Technology Letters, IEEE
