| 摘要 |
A wavelength-dependent variable mirror suitable for application in tunable semiconductor lasers is disclosed. The variable mirror comprises a coupler having two input ports and two output ports operable to distribute a known level of light coupled into a first input port, optical channels extending from each of the two coupler output ports of and a wavelength-selective device connected to each of the extended optical channels. In one aspect, the wavelength selective device connects the two extended channels forming an optical loop, which reflects a known level of light back to the coupler input ports. In another aspect, the wavelength selective device reflects a known level of light at a predetermined wavelength back to each of the extended channels to an input port of said coupler. In yet another aspect, a phase controlling element is introduced in at least one optical channel, which introduces a known amount of phase change in the light sent back to the coupler. In one application, a tunable laser is fabricated using a gain medium in conjunction with wavelength-selective variable mirror that operates to reflect a known level of light energy into a gain material to achieve lasing operation at a designated frequency.
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