Tunable laser with magnetically coupled filter

A laser apparatus, comprising:

• a gain medium;
• a tuning etalon positioned in a light beam emitted by said gain medium, the tuning etalon to define a wavelength arid for the optical apparatus;
• a tuning element positioned in the light beam, the tuning element to select from among multiple communication channels;
• a first magnetic element operatively coupled to said tuning etalon;
• and
• a second magnetic element magnetically coupled to said first magnetic element and configured to actuate said first magnetic element and said tuning etalon according to actuation of said second magnetic element.

A laser apparatus, comprising

• a gain medium emitting a light beam;
• a tuning etalon positioned in said light beam, the tuning etalon to define a wavelength grid for the optical apparatus;
• a tuning element positioned in the light beam, the tuning element to select from among multiple communication channels;
• a drive assembly magnetically coupled to said tuning etalon;
• and
• a hermetically sealed container, said gain medium and said tuning etalon located within said hermetically sealed container, said drive assembly located outside said hermetically sealed container.

A method for operating a laser, comprising:

• positioning a tuning etalon in a light beam;
• defining a wavelength grid for the optical apparatus with the tuning etalon;
• positioning a tuning element in the light beam;
• selecting from among multiple communication channels using the tuning element;
• magnetically coupling a drive element to said tuning etalon;
• and
• actuating said tuning etalon via magnetic coupling between said tuning etalon and said drive element.

A method for operating a laser, comprising:

• positioning a tuning etalon in a light beam;
• defining a wavelength grid for the optical apparatus with the tuning etalon;
• positioning a tuning element in the light beam;
• selecting from among multiple communication channels using the tuning element;
• coupling a first magnetic element to said tuning etalon;
• coupling a second magnetic element to a drive element;
• and
• positioning said first and second magnetic elements such that said tuning etalon and said drive element are magnetically coupled to each other.

An optical apparatus, comprising:

• means for generating a light beam in the optical apparatus, the optical apparatus having:
• a tuning etalon positioned in said light beam, the tuning etalon to define a wavelength grid for the optical apparatus;
• and
• a tuning element positioned in the light beam, the tuning element to select from among multiple communication channels;
• and
• means for magnetically actuating a tuning etalon positioned in said light beam.