Patent ID: 6853654
Filing Date: 2005-02-08
Classification: G02B,H01S,H04J

Abstract:
1. An optical tuning apparatus, comprising: a first tunable wavelength selection element configured to define a first plurality of tunable transmission peaks separated by a first adjustable free spectral range, the first plurality of tunable transmission peaks within a gain bandwidth of a gain medium optically couplable to the optical tuning apparatus; a second tunable wavelength selection element configured to define a second plurality of tunable transmission peaks separated by a second adjustable free spectral range, the second plurality of tunable transmission peaks within the gain bandwidth of the gain medium; and a controller, operatively coupled to each of the first and second tunable wavelength selection elements, to adjust the first and second free spectral ranges to produce at least one tunable joint transmission peak, wherein each of said at least one tunable joint transmission peak comprises a respective pair of transmission peaks, one from each of the first and second plurality of tunable transmission peaks, that are aligned, and said at least one tunable transmission peak is tuned using a Vernier tuning effect.