Wavelength reference device
AssigneeCoreTek, Inc.
InventorsReich Watterson, Parviz Tayebati
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A wavelength reference device for tuning a tunable Fabry-Perot filter and/or a tunable VCSEL to a desired frequency, where the device uses a modified Michelson interferometer to generate a series of reference frequencies
Claims16
A wavelength reference apparatus for use in calibrating a device comprising a tunable Fabry-Perot cavity to a precise, absolute frequency, the wavelength reference apparatus comprising:
- a Michelson interferometer for splitting light emitted from the device over first and second optical paths and then recombining that light;
- a detector for detecting the recombined light received from the Michelson interferometer;
- and
- determining means for determining the absolute wavelength of the emitted light from the recombined light received by the detector.
A wavelength-locking apparatus for use in tuning a device comprising a tunable Fabry-Perot cavity to a precise, absolute frequency, the wavelength locking apparatus comprising:
- a Michelson interferometer for splitting light emitted from the device over first and second optical paths and then recombining that light;
- a detector for detecting the recombined light received from the Michelson interferometer;
- determining means for determining the absolute wavelength of the emitted light from the recombined light received by the detector;
- and
- a controller for tuning the device by monitoring the absolute wavelength of the emitted light as determined by the determining means and providing feedback to the device.
A method for tuning a device comprising a tunable Fabry-Perot comprising:
- (1) splitting light emitted from the device along first and second optical paths, wherein at least one of the paths includes passing the light through a wavelength selective element;
- (2) recombining the light from the first and second optical paths onto a detector;
- and
- (3) analyzing an output signal generated by the detector to determine the wavelength of light emitted from the device.
A system comprising:
- a tunable filter;
- and
- a wavelength-locking apparatus for use in tuning the tunable filter to a precise, absolute frequency, the wavelength locking apparatus comprising:
- a Michelson interferometer for splitting light emitted from the filter over first and second optical paths and then recombining that light;
- a detector for detecting the recombined light received from the Michelson interferometer;
- determining means for determining the absolute wavelength of the emitted light from the recombined light received by the detector;
- and
- a controller for tuning the filter by monitoring the absolute wavelength of the emitted light as determined by the determining means and providing feedback to the filter.
A system comprising:
- a tunable VCSEL;
- and
- a wavelength-locking apparatus for use in tuning the tunable VCSEL to a precise, absolute frequency, the wavelength locking apparatus comprising:
- a Michelson interferometer for splitting light emitted from the VCSEL over first and second optical paths and then recombining that light;
- a detector for detecting the recombined light received from the Michelson interferometer;
- determining means for determining the absolute wavelength of the emitted light from the recombined light received by the detector;
- and
- a controller for tuning the VCSEL by monitoring the absolute wavelength of the emitted light as determined by the determining means and providing feedback to the VCSEL.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.