Method for converting an optical wavelength using a monolithic wavelength converter assembly
AssigneeAgility Communications, Inc.
InventorLarry Coldren
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of converting an optical wavelength includes providing a wavelength converter assembly with a photodetector and a laser that have a common epitaxial structure with areas of differing bandgap. The laser including a laser resonator. An optical input with a first wavelength is absorbed at the wavelength converter assembly. A first electrical signal is generated from the photodetector in response to the optical input. The first electrical signal is conditioned and produces a conditioned first electrical signal. A second electrical signal is generated from the conditioned first electrical signal. A laser output is generated from a gain medium of the laser at a second wavelength in response to the second electrical signal.
Claims36
A method of converting an optical wavelength, comprising:
- providing a wavelength converter assembly with a photodetector and a laser with a common epitaxial structure with areas of differing bandgap, the laser including a laser resonator;
- absorbing an optical input having a first wavelength at the wavelength converter assembly;
- generating a first electrical signal from the photodetector in response to the optical input;
- conditioning the first electrical signal and produce a conditioned first electrical signal;
- generating a second electrical signal from the conditioned first electrical signal;
- generating a laser output from a gain medium of the laser at a second wavelength in response to the second electrical signal.
A method of converting an optical wavelength, comprising:
- providing a wavelength converter assembly having an epitaxial structure with areas of differing bandgap that includes a waveguide layer positioned between first and second semiconductor layers of the epitaxial structure, an optically active gain medium positioned between first and second reflectors that define a resonant cavity, and a photodetector;
- detecting an optical input at the photodetector;
- and
- generating a laser output from the wavelength converter assembly in response to the optical input.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.