Optical systems using tunable optical filters and related methods

A method for tuning an optical filter, the optical filter defining an optical path and being adapted to propagate an optical signal along the optical path, said method comprising:

• providing an optical filter component having a propagation axis;
• arranging the optical filter component along the optical path, the optical filter component exhibiting a length of physical path along the propagation axis, the optical filter component being adapted to receive the optical signal such that, in response to the optical signal, the optical filter component propagates at least a first frequency of light along the optical path;
• and
• altering the length of the physical path of the optical filter component along the propagation axis such that the optical filter component propagates at least a second frequency of light along the optical path in response to the optical signal, the second frequency of light being different from the first frequency of light.

A method for propagating an optical signal along an optical path comprising:

• providing a first material:
• arranging the first material along the optical path, the first material exhibiting a length of physical path along the optical path;
• receiving an optical signal at the first material;
• and
• altering the length of the physical path to alter a characteristic of the optical signal by at least one of compressing and tensioning the first material.