Back to results
US 6,687,278 B1Granted
Method of generating an optical signal with a tunable laser source with integrated optical amplifier
AssigneeAgility Communications, Inc.
InventorsThomas Beck Mason, Gregory Fish, Larry Coldren
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of generating an optical signal provides a diode laser assembly including an epitaxial structure formed on a substrate. A laser and an amplifier are formed in the epitaxial structure. At least a portion of the laser and amplifier share a common waveguide. A tunable laser output is produced from the laser. The laser output is coupled into the amplifier along the common waveguide. An optical signal is generated from the amplifier.
Claims26
A method of generating an optical signal, comprising:
- providing a diode laser assembly including an epitaxial structure formed on a substrate, a laser and an amplifier formed in the epitaxial structure, the laser including first and second reflectors, a gain section and a phase section, the gain section and the phase section each being positioned between the first and second reflectors to produce a tunable laser output therefrom, at least a portion of the laser and an amplifier sharing a common waveguide formed in the epitaxial structure, wherein at least a portion of the common waveguide is curved to reduce reflections from an output facet;
- coupling the laser output into the amplifier along the common waveguide;
- and
- generating an optical signal from the amplifier in response to the coupled laser output.
1 more element
A method of generating an optical signal, comprising:
- providing a diode laser assembly including first and second semiconductor layers in an epitaxial structure, a waveguide formed between the first and second semiconductor layers in the epitaxial structure, and a laser and an amplifier formed in the epitaxial structure, the laser including a gain section and a phase section each being positioned between two grating sections to produce a tunable laser output therefrom, wherein at least a portion of the waveguide is curved to reduce reflections from an output facet;
- coupling the laser output into the amplifier along the waveguide;
- propagating the laser output in a tapered section of the waveguide in the amplifier to increase saturated output power;
- and
- generating an optical signal from the amplifier in response to the propagated laser output.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.