A method for sweeping an electromagnetic radiation source (12) to produce single mode operation having an optimized side-mode suppression ratio over a continuous range of wavelengths within a prescribed temporal profile, the electromagnetic radiation source is configured to output electromagnetic radiation at a given wavelength based upon parameters. The method includes determining a set of parameter combinations that satisfy a condition for a desired set of wavelengths and a maximum side mode suppression ratio over the range of wavelengths. The set of parameter combinations define sub-paths for transitioning from one wavelength to another wavelength. Combinations of select sub-paths provide a multivariate path for transitioning over the range of wavelengths. The method also includes controlling the semiconductor laser to emit electromagnetic radiation over the range of wavelengths by traversing the multivariate path in a desired manner.

A method of providing a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) within a laser diode package is proposed that includes first inserting the fiber into the package (typically a stripped end termination of the optical fiber) and aligning the fiber with the laser diode. Once aligned, an external FBG writing system is used to illuminate a selected section of the fiber in place in the package (the package remaining open at this time) in a manner that creates the specific grating line pattern for a particular FBG. When using a UV-based system with a phase mask, a focusing lens is disposed between the phase and the open package to direct the interfering beams into the core region of the stripped fiber. A high-power femtosecond laser source may be used in an alternative arrangement to directly write the structure and form the in-package FBG.

A laser includes a traveling wave laser cavity with an active section, a pulse stretcher, and a pulse compressor. The pulse stretcher is coupled to the waveguide before the active section and the pulse compressor is coupled to the waveguide after the active section.

A three-color light source 1 is a three-color light source that combines red, green, and blue laser light so as to output light. The three-color light source 1 includes a red LD 11, a green LD 12, a blue LD 13, a first collimator lens 61, a second collimator lens 62, a third collimator lens 63, a first wavelength filter 81, a second wavelength filter 82, a carrier 30 that is equipped with the LDs 11 to 13, the collimator lenses 61 to 63, and the wavelength filters 81 and 82, and a TEC 40 that is equipped with the carrier 30. The red LD 11 is formed of a GaAs-based material, and the green LD 12 and the blue LD 13 are formed of GaN-based materials.

An apparatus includes an optical amplifier waveguide and an optical reflector located to reflect back some light received at or near a first end of the optical amplifier waveguide. The apparatus also includes another optical waveguide having a first end located to receive light at or near a second end of the optical amplifier waveguide, and the another optical waveguide having a sequence of optical ring resonators optically connected there along with each of the optical ring resonators being configured to have a different free spectral range. A system and a method are also included.

A system and method of reducing speckle for an illuminator comprises driving current at varying levels or average frequency to provide varying light wavelengths.

A method for controlling an electromagnetic radiation source to produce single mode operation having an optimized side-mode suppression ratio over a set of wavelengths within a prescribed temporal profile. The electromagnetic radiation source is configured to output electromagnetic radiation at a given wavelength based upon parameters. The method includes determining a set of parameter combinations that satisfy a condition for a desired set of wavelengths and a minimum side mode suppression ratio over the range of wavelengths. The set of parameter combinations define sub-paths for nearly arbitrary transitions from one wavelength to another wavelength. Combinations of select sub-paths provide a multivariate path for transitioning over the range of wavelengths. The method also includes controlling the semiconductor laser to emit electromagnetic radiation over the range of wavelengths by traversing the multivariate path in a desired manner.

A system includes a first optical frequency comb generator that generates a first parametrically generated comb using parametric mixing comprising a first plurality of optical waves including at least one first optical wave. The system includes a second optical frequency comb generator that generates a second parametrically generated comb using parametric mixing comprising a second plurality of optical waves. The second optical frequency comb generator receives the at least one first optical wave and generates the second plurality of optical waves using the at least one first optical wave. Respective center frequencies of one or more optical waves of the first plurality of optical waves are aligned in frequency with respective center frequencies of one or more optical waves of the second plurality of optical waves.

In accordance with one aspect of the present application there is provided a DBR, laser. The DBR laser comprises a phase section in a cavity of the DBR laser configured to adjust an optical path length of the cavity. The laser also comprises a DBR section comprising a frequency tuning system, the frequency tuning system comprising a resistance heater configured to apply heat to a grating of the DBR section in order to adjust a Bragg frequency of the DBR section. A detector is configured to detect laser light transmitted through the DBR section. A controller is configured: to cause the phase section to apply a dither to the optical path length of the cavity or cause the frequency tuning system to apply a dither to the Bragg frequency of the DBR section; to use the detector to monitor intensity of light transmitted from the laser cavity via the DBR section during application of the dither; to determine a deviation from longitudinal mode centre operation on the basis of the monitored intensity; to cause the phase section to adjust the optical path length of the cavity in order to reduce said deviation; to determine an output frequency of the DBR laser on the basis of a resistance of the resistance heater; and to control the output frequency of the DBR laser by controlling power to the resistance heater.

A apparatus includes a tunable laser configured to include a tunable filter and a mirror; a first optical splitter provided between the tunable filter and the mirror, the first optical splitter including a first port and a second port on a tunable filter side and a third port and a fourth port on a mirror side, in which the tunable filter is coupled to the first port and the mirror is coupled to the third port, respectively; a first optical waveguide coupled to the second port; a second optical waveguide coupled to the fourth port; and an optical coupler with which the first optical waveguide and the second optical waveguide are combined.