System and method for generating an optimum side-mode suppression ratio continuous tuning path for a semiconductor tunable laser

摘要

A system and method to determine data sets of front mirror current, back mirror current and phase current that change the wavelength output by a semiconductor laser in a prescribed trajectory versus time, while maintaining the maximum side-mode suppression ratio at each point during the sweep.

主权项

1. A laser system comprising:
a multi-section semiconductor laser comprising a front mirror section, a back mirror section and a phase section, wherein the laser is operable to discretely sweep over a range of wavelengths; one or more current sources for outputting a current to at least one of the front mirror section, the back mirror section and the phase section; an external power meter coupled to the laser; an external wavelength meter coupled to the laser; a controller coupled to the laser, the external power meter and the external wavelength meter, wherein the controller is configured to determine a side-mode suppression ratio for each wavelength in the range of wavelengths and to output control signals to the one or more current sources to drive the laser through an optimum sweep path, wherein the optimum sweep path maximizes side-mode suppression ratio over the range of wavelengths.