Abstract
Tunable laser sources are critical components for DWDM networks as spare sources or fast wavelength-switching devices. The wavelength monitor for controlling a tunable laser diode must cope with multiple output wavelengths and the required tuning speed. Fabry-Perot (FP) etalons have been commercially used for wavelength control of DWDM lasers. However, a FP etalon cannot distinguish among different channels since it has periodic wavelength characteristic. This makes it difficult to monitor the mode-hopping problem that might happen in tuning a tunable laser.1 Etalons with special tuning mechanism or array waveguide gratings were also proposed to monitor tunable lasers,2,3 but they may have limited response speed or require expensive components. On the other hand, wavelength monitoring by detecting the transparent current or the induced junction voltage across a FP laser diode (FPLD) was demonstrated to provide 0.01-nm wavelength resolution.4 This approach is very attractive since the wavelength sensor can be monolithically integrated with the tunable laser. Moreover, a FPLD can easily be tuned to monitor multiple channels by adjusting its bias current. However, to achieve 0.01-nm resolution with this approach requires tough stability on temperature control.
© 2002 Optical Society of America
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