US2002196817A1PendingUtilityA1

Tunable laser

41
Priority: Apr 20, 2001Filed: Mar 21, 2002Published: Dec 26, 2002
Est. expiryApr 20, 2021(expired)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Michael J. Little
G02B 6/3534B81B 2201/047G02B 26/001G02B 6/3512G02B 6/3522G02B 26/02B81B 2203/058G02B 6/3584G02B 2006/12104G02B 6/3526G02B 26/0841G02B 6/3572B81B 3/0021G02B 6/4226G02B 6/357G02B 6/358G02B 6/3528B81B 2203/053G02B 6/3574
41
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Claims

Abstract

A tunable laser system is provided which includes a tunable laser. The tunable laser combines a laser with a compliant mechanism.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A tunable laser system, comprising: 
 a laser; and    at least one compliant mechanism configured to vary a wavelength of light output by the laser.    
     
     
         2 . The tunable laser system according to  claim 1 , wherein the laser is a semiconductor laser.  
     
     
         3 . The tunable laser system according to  claim 1 , wherein the compliant mechanism comprises a mirror, and varying the position of the mirror varies a wavelength output by the laser.  
     
     
         4 . The tunable laser system according to  claim 3 , wherein the compliant mechanism comprises a compliant support to which the mirror is fixed, and at least a portion of the compliant support is substantially flexible.  
     
     
         5 . The tunable laser system according to  claim 3 , wherein the compliant mechanism comprises a compliant support to which the mirror is fixed, and at least a portion of the compliant support comprises silicon, and another portion of the compliant optical support comprises a compliant material.  
     
     
         6 . The tunable laser system according to  claim 5 , wherein the compliant material comprises an elastomer.  
     
     
         7 . The tunable laser system according to  claim 3 , wherein the mirror is movable by an actuator.  
     
     
         8 . The tunable laser system according to  claim 7 , wherein the compliant support comprises: 
 an island, to which the mirror is affixed; and    a frame, wherein the island and the frame are flexibly joined by a compliant member.    
     
     
         9 . The tunable laser system according to  claim 8 , wherein at least a portion of the actuator is attached to the island.  
     
     
         10 . The tunable laser system according to  claim 8 , wherein the compliant member comprises an elastomer.  
     
     
         11 . The tunable laser system according to  claim 8 , wherein the island and the frame comprise silicon.  
     
     
         12 . The tunable laser system according to  claim 8 , wherein the actuator comprises: 
 a plurality of electrodes positioned on a surface of the island opposite a surface to which the second mirror is attached; and    an electrode disposed on an actuator support.    
     
     
         13 . The tunable laser system according to  claim 12 , wherein the actuator support comprises silicon.  
     
     
         14 . The tunable laser system according to  claim 1 , further comprising an output optical fiber into which output light is directed.  
     
     
         15 . The tunable laser system according to  claim 14 , further comprising: 
 a lens configured to focus light into the output optical fiber.    
     
     
         16 . The tunable laser system according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a lens configured to collimate light output by the laser.    
     
     
         17 . The tunable laser system according to  claim 1 , wherein the compliant mechanism is positioned between the laser and an output optical fiber.  
     
     
         18 . The tunable laser system according to  claim 1 , wherein the laser is positioned between the compliant mechanism and an output optical fiber.  
     
     
         19 . The tunable laser system according to  claim 3 , wherein the mirror is curved.  
     
     
         20 . The tunable laser system according to  claim 19 , wherein the laser is positioned between the compliant mechanism and an output optical fiber.  
     
     
         21 . The tunable laser system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one compliant mechanism comprises two compliant mechanisms.  
     
     
         22 . The tunable laser system according to  claim 21 , wherein the laser is positioned between the two compliant mechanisms.  
     
     
         23 . The tunable laser system according to  claim 22 , wherein the laser comprises an anti-reflective on one end and an approximately 30% reflective coating on the other end.  
     
     
         24 . The tunable laser system according to  claim 21 , further comprising: 
 an output optical fiber positioned to receive output light.    
     
     
         25 . The tunable laser system according to  claim 24 , further comprising: 
 a lens configured to focus the output light into the output optical fiber.    
     
     
         26 . The tunable laser system according to  claim 21 , wherein the two compliant mechanisms each comprise a mirror, and wherein varying the position of either mirror varies a wavelength output by the tunable laser.  
     
     
         27 . The tunable laser system according to  claim 26 , wherein each mirror is curved.  
     
     
         28 . The tunable laser system according to  claim 1 , wherein the laser comprises a first fixed mirror and an active region, and the compliant mechanism further comprises a second mirror mounted thereon, wherein a first laser cavity is formed between the first and second mirror, and wherein adjusting the position of the second mirror varies a wavelength of light output by the tunable laser.  
     
     
         29 . The tunable laser system according to  claim 28 , wherein the compliant mechanism further comprising a partially reflective coating, wherein a second laser cavity is formed between the partially reflective coating and the first mirror, which is tunable by adjusting the position of the partially reflective coating, and wherein a third laser cavity is formed between the partially reflective coating and the second mirror, which is tunable by adjusting the position of the second mirror.  
     
     
         30 . A tunable laser, comprising: 
 a first fixed mirror;    a second mirror mounted on a compliant mechanism; and    an active region formed between the first and second mirrors.    
     
     
         31 . The tunable laser according to  claim 20 , wherein varying the position of the second mirror varies a wavelength output by the tunable laser.  
     
     
         32 . A telecommunication system comprising the tunable laser system of  claim 1.

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