Digitally-tuned integrated laser with multi-frequency operation

摘要

A digitally-tuned integrated laser with multi-frequency operation for generating optical signals of various frequencies. The laser includes a wafer (10) having a frequency router (12) defined therein and a first cleaved face (20), a second cleaved face (24) and a third face (11). An active optical amplifier (18) is formed at the first cleaved face and is connected to the frequency router by a waveguide (14). A plurality of individually selectable optical amplifier pairs (22, 22') are formed at the second cleaved face (24) and are connected to the frequency router by pairs of waveguides (16, 16'). The waveguides of each pair are coupled one to the other by an optical coupler (28) that provides a portion of a generated optical signal to a modulator (26) contained in one of the waveguides of each waveguide pair.