Fast continuously wavelength tuning single frequency fiber laser using tunable polymer optical filters

A fiber-based ring laser, comprising:

• a laser gain medium configured to produce a first laser beam;
• a mode-selection filter comprising:
• a first reflective plate configured to receive the first laser beam orthogonal to the first reflective plate;
• an electro-optical material disposed between the first parallel reflective plate and the second reflective plate;
• a second reflective plate parallel to the first reflective plate, wherein the first reflective plate, the electro-optical material, and the second reflective plate are configured to filter the first laser beam to produce a second laser beam exiting the second reflection plate, wherein the second laser beam comprises a plurality of spectral peaks having first line widths, wherein two of the plurality of spectral peaks are separated by a frequency difference;
• and
• an electrode configured to apply an electric field in the electro-optical material, the electric field being substantially perpendicular to the first laser beam or the second laser beam;
• a first optical fiber configured to transmit the first laser beam from the laser gain medium to the mode-selection filter;
• and
• a band-pass filter configured to filter the second laser beam and to produce a third laser beam having one of the plurality of spectral peaks, wherein the laser gain medium, the first optical fiber, the mode-selection filter, and the band-pass filter in part form a ring cavity in the fiber-based ring laser.

A fiberbased ring laser, comprising:

• a laser pump a laser gain medium configured to produce a pump laser beam;
• a laser gain medium configured to produce a first laser beam in response to the pump laser beam;
• a mode-selection filter configured to receive the first laser beam and to produce a second laser beam that comprises a plurality of spectral peaks having first line widths, wherein two of the plurality of spectral peaks are separated by frequency difference;
• a first optical fiber configured to transmit the first laser beam from the laser gain medium to the mode-selection filter;
• a band-pass filter configured to filter the second laser beam and to produce a third laser beam having one of the plurality of spectral peaks, wherein the laser gain medium, the first optical fiber, the mode-selection filter, and the band-pass filter in part form a ring cavity in the fiber-based ring laser;
• an optical sensor configured to output an output sensing signal in response to the third laser beam;
• and
• a controller configured to control the mode-selection filter in response to the output sensing signal to reduce fluctuations in power, frequency, or a combination thereof in the third laser beam;
• wherein the mode-selection filter comprises:
• a first reflective plate configured to receive the first laser beam orthogonal to the first reflective plate;
• an electro-optical material disposed between the first parallel reflective plate, and the second reflective plate;
• a second reflective plate parallel to the first reflective plate, wherein the first reflective plate, the electro-optical material, and the second reflective plate are configured to filter the first laser beam to produce the second laser beam exiting the second reflection plate;
• and an electrode configured to apply an electric field in the electro-optical material, the electric field being substantially perpendicular to the first laser beam or the second laser beam.