Patent ID: 6594288
Filing Date: 2003-07-15
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
A tunable Raman laser comprising:a pump source providing pump radiation having a predetermined wavelength; a first optical waveguide including at least first and second reflective elements, the first and second reflective elements having respective first and second reflection wavelengths; a second optical waveguide including at least third and fourth reflective elements, the third and fourth reflective elements having respective third and fourth reflection wavelengths, wherein the first and second reflection wavelengths of the respective first and second reflective elements are substantially the same as respective third and fourth reflection wavelengths of the third and fourth reflective elements to form at least a pair of resonant cavities; an optical waveguide providing Raman gain optically coupled between the first optical waveguide and the second optical waveguide; and a tuning device, responsive to a signal representative of a desired output wavelength, that stresses the first and second optical waveguides to change the first, second, third and fourth reflective wavelengths of the respective first, second, third and fourth reflective elements; whereby portions of each of the first and second optical waveguides have different cross-sectional areas such that when the first and second optical waveguides are stressed, the first and second reflection wavelengths of the first and second reflective elements change proportionally and the third and fourth reflection wavelengths of the third and fourth reflective elements change proportionally.