Dynamics of frequency switching in tunable asymmetric Y-branch lasers

Author

Kuznetsov, M. ; Shankaranarayanan, N.K. ; Verlangieri, P. ; Dentai, A.G.

Author_Institution

AT&T Bell Lab., Holmdel, NJ, USA

Volume

5

Issue

6

fYear

1993

fDate

6/1/1993 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

625

Lastpage

627

Abstract

Measurements of the frequency switching dynamics of discretely tunable asymmetric Y-branch (AYB) lasers with a single current tuning control are described. It is observed that the switching time depends on the frequency separation of the two switched modes, with faster switching for modes which are further apart. The switch-off time of a mode is faster, as short as 4 ns, while the switch-on time is slower, on the order of 10 nm. It is suggested that this switching behavior can be explained by the spectral transients of the laser during switching. Such AYB lasers can be used in the transmitters of packet-switched wavelength-multiplexed communication networks.<>

Keywords

laser modes; laser tuning; optical communication equipment; optical switches; 4 ns; frequency separation; frequency switching; packet-switched wavelength-multiplexed communication networks; spectral transients; switch-off time; switched modes; switching time; tunable asymmetric Y-branch lasers; tuning control; Communication switching; Fiber lasers; Filters; Frequency measurement; Laser modes; Laser tuning; Optical control; Optical tuning; Packet switching; Tunable circuits and devices;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Photonics Technology Letters, IEEE

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1041-1135

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/68.219690

Filename

219690