Apparatus and method for utilization of a high-speed optical wavelength tuning source

An apparatus, comprising:

• at least one wavelength swept laser arrangement configured to emit an electromagnetic radiation that has a spectrum whose mean frequency changes (i) at an absolute rate that is greater than about 6000 terahertz per millisecond, and (ii) over a range that is greater than about 10 terahertz;
• and
• a polygon arrangement which is configured to receive at least one signal that is associated with the emitted electromagnetic radiation, and at least one of reflect or deflect the at least one signal to a further location.

An apparatus comprising:

• a wavelength swept laser arrangement configured to emit an electromagnetic radiation that has (i) a spectrum whose mean frequency changes at an absolute rate that is greater than about 2000 terahertz per millisecond, and (ii) an instantaneous line width that is less than about 15 gigahertz;
• and
• a laser resonating system forming an optical circuit, and configured to control a spatial mode of the emitted electromagnetic radiation.

An apparatus comprising:

• at least one wavelength tuning filter arrangement configured to select at least one first electro-magnetic radiation based on a mean frequency of the at least one first electro-magnetic radiation, the selection being performed by the at least one arrangement with a first characteristic free spectral range,
• wherein the apparatus emits at least one second electromagnetic radiation that has a spectrum whose mean frequency changes periodically as a function of time with a second characteristic free spectral range, and
• wherein the first characteristic free spectral range is greater than the second characteristic free spectral range.

An apparatus comprising:

• at least one wavelength tuning filter arrangement configured to, periodically and as a function of time, select at least one first electro-magnetic radiation based on a mean frequency of the at least one first electro-magnetic radiation, the periodic selection being performed at a first characteristic period,
• wherein the apparatus is configured to emit at least one second electromagnetic radiation that has a spectrum whose mean frequency changes periodically as a function of time with a second characteristic period, and
• wherein the first characteristic period is greater than two times the duration of the second characteristic period.