F. Heinrichsdorff

A compact digitally tunable seven-channel ring laser

A seven-channel ring laser was realized by monolithic integration of a compact 4/spl times/4 PHASAR (de)multiplexer with four amplifiers in InP. The PHASAR was fabricated using a double-etch technique, enabling a total size of the ring laser of only 1/spl times/1.5 mm/sup 2/. Light was coupled out via the outer array waveguides. Reflections are minimized by using mode filters and angled facets. Threshold-currents of 70 mA and a sidemode suppression ratio of 40 dB were measured. In principle, a ring laser with N amplifiers can produce 3N-3 different wavelengths.

An integrated 4 x 4-channel multiwavelength laser on InP

We present a compact 16-channel digitally tunable laser integrated on InP with the possibility to produce groups of four wavelengths at the same time. The cavity contains two arrays of four semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) with two periodical four-channel intracavity phased arrays (PHASARs) with channel spacings of 100 and 400 GHz. By activating two out of the eight SOAs, 16 different wavelengths can be selected. Light was coupled out of the cavity by waveguides placed in the second focal order of the PHASARs. Reflections from the end facets of the wafer are minimized using mode filters and angled output waveguides.

An all-optical wavelength converter in a layer-stack suitable for compact photonic integration

An apparatus for determining the direction of ambient airflow and a method for the use thereof. The apparatus includes man-made or natural fibers that float when released into the air by a user. The direction of ambient airflow is determined by observing the direction of movement of the fibers from the point of release from the users hand.