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32 wavelength tunable mode-locked laser with 100 GHz channel spacing using an arrayed waveguide grating | IEEE Conference Publication | IEEE Xplore

32 wavelength tunable mode-locked laser with 100 GHz channel spacing using an arrayed waveguide grating


Abstract:

We demonstrate a discretely tunable mode-locked laser (time-to-wavelength mapped laser) consisting of a 32 wavelength silica-on-silicon planar lightwave circuit arrayed w...Show More

Abstract:

We demonstrate a discretely tunable mode-locked laser (time-to-wavelength mapped laser) consisting of a 32 wavelength silica-on-silicon planar lightwave circuit arrayed waveguide grating and an integrated electro-absorption modulator/semiconductor optical amplifier. The AWG is used to form a wavelength-dependent delay circuit to allow the oscillation wavelength to be selected by varying the modelocking frequency. The wavelength range is 1535.5-1560.5 nm, the wavelength spacing is 100 GHz, and the repetition rate is in the 10 GHz regime.
Date of Conference: 17-22 March 2001
Date Added to IEEE Xplore: 07 May 2003
Print ISBN:1-55752-655-9
Conference Location: Anaheim, CA, USA
Citations are not available for this document.

1. Introduction

Tunable lasers are a key technology in wavelength routed optical networks [1]. Although many tunable sources have been researched, recently, an approach based on mode-locked lasers has received attention [2] [3] [4]. We call, this type of source a time-to-wavelength mapped laser (TWML). The cavity of a TWML is made to have a length that depends on wavelength . When the laser is mode-locked at a frequency that matches a resonance. frequency of the cavity of length , the corresponding wavelength oscillates but all others experience loss. Hence, the laser emits pulses at wavelength and repetition rate , By changing the modulation frequency, the wavelength of the laser can be selected. Although the varying repetition rate may seem problematic for establishing communications at a fixed data rate R, we have proposed to’ use these sources when , The data at a fixed rate is then carried as' an envelope of the pulse train. Although there are performance degradations and inherent speed limitations associated with such a modulation scheme, it may find use jn LAN or MAN environments, where the transmission distances are short and the data rates are low (2.5 Gbps or less), This general type of laser also offers the potential for simple addressing schemes using a subcarrier tone [5].

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References

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