Laser Side Mode Suppression Ratio (SMSR) control is provided via a logic controller configured to measure an SMSR of a carrier wave upstream of a modulator and measure an Average Optical Power (AOP) of the carrier wave downstream of the modulator; transmit a bias voltage based on the SMSR and the AOP to a laser driver for a laser generating the carrier wave; and transmit an attenuation level based on the SMSR and the AOP to a Variable Optical Attenuator (VOA) upstream of the modulator. In various embodiments the attenuation level and bias voltage can rise or fall together, or one may rise and one may fall to ensure the output optical signal meets specified SMSR and AOP values.

Laser Side Mode Suppression Ratio (SMSR) control is provided via a logic controller configured to measure an SMSR of a carrier wave upstream of a modulator and measure an Average Optical Power (AOP) of the carrier wave downstream of the modulator; transmit a bias voltage based on the SMSR and the AOP to a laser driver for a laser generating the carrier wave; and transmit an attenuation level based on the SMSR and the AOP to a Variable Optical Attenuator (VOA) upstream of the modulator. In various embodiments the attenuation level and bias voltage can rise or fall together, or one may rise and one may fall to ensure the output optical signal meets specified SMSR and AOP values.

A laser device includes a laser configured to generate laser light and a laser control module configured to receive at least a portion of the laser light generated by the laser, to generate a control signal and to feed the control signal back to the laser for stabilizing the frequency, wherein the laser control module includes a tunable frequency discriminating element which is preferably continuously frequency tunable, and where the laser control module is placed outside the laser cavity.

A laser device includes a laser configured to generate laser light and a laser control module configured to receive at least a portion of the laser light generated by the laser, to generate a control signal and to feed the control signal back to the laser for stabilizing the frequency, wherein the laser control module includes a tunable frequency discriminating element which is preferably continuously frequency tunable, and where the laser control module is placed outside the laser cavity.

A disclosed semiconductor laser module includes a semiconductor laser device; a semiconductor optical amplifier configured to receive laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser device and amplify the laser light that has been received; and a first light receiving device that measures an intensity of a part of the laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser device, for monitoring a wavelength of the laser light, wherein the semiconductor optical amplifier is located rearward in relation to a light receiving surface of the first light receiving device along a propagation direction of the laser light emitted from the semiconductor device.

A disclosed semiconductor laser module includes a semiconductor laser device; a waveguide optical function device that has an incidence end on which laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser device is incident and that guides the incident light; and a protrusion that is provided on an extension line of a light path of the laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser device, the extension line extending beyond the incidence end.

A compact laser source and a single sideband modulator used therein is disclosed. The compact laser source includes a seed laser and one or more channels, with each channel generating one or more output laser beams having corresponding different wavelengths. The compact laser source can be formed in whole or in part on a single optical motherboard to thereby minimize space and power requirements. By employing the disclosed single sideband modulator, harmonics in the generated output laser beams can be minimized. The compact laser source finds application in an atom interferometer (AI) system, which may be used to measure gravity, acceleration, or rotation of the AI system.

A direct modulation laser includes a distributed feedback type laser active region and an optical feedback region optically connected to one end of the laser active region in a waveguide direction. The direct modulation laser performs laser oscillation by using photon-photon resonance (PPR) that occurs depending on a frequency difference between a frequency of light generated (oscillated) in the laser active region and a frequency of an FP mode in the optical feedback region.

A direct modulation laser includes a distributed feedback type laser active region and an optical feedback region optically connected to one end of the laser active region in a waveguide direction. The direct modulation laser performs laser oscillation by using photon-photon resonance (PPR) that occurs depending on a frequency difference between a frequency of light generated (oscillated) in the laser active region and a frequency of an FP mode in the optical feedback region.

A laser apparatus includes: a light source configured to generate laser light; and an optical negative feedback unit configured to narrow a spectral line of the laser light using optical negative feedback. A modulation signal is input to the light source to modulate a frequency of the laser light. A modulation amount in the frequency of the laser light is detected. A modulation sensitivity is calculated from (i) the modulation amount and (ii) an intensity of the modulation signal.