| 摘要 |
<p>A multi-wavelength light source (MWS)(20, 72, 80, 92) that simultaneously provides a plurality of output laser light beams at different wavelengths (λs1, λs5) comprising: a laser (22) that provides laser light at a given first frequency; a periodically poled optical element (PPE) (32, 74, 82, 92) comprising a plurality of gratings (34), each having grating planes produced by periodic poling of the material from which the PPE is formed and a propagation axis perpendicular to the grating planes and wherein different gratings of the PPE have different poling periods (1) the gratings being optionally timed by controlling the temperature through heat pumps (94); an optical cavity (26, 28) for each component grating inside of which cavity the component grating is positioned; and a light director that directs light from the laser so that it enters the optical cavity for each grating and simultaneously illuminates each of the gratings, as a result of which each grating generates output laser light beams that have wavelengths that are a function of the first frequency and the polling period (1) of the grating.</p> |
