Patent ID: 9184552
Filing Date: 2015-11-10
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
1. A method of operating a laser that emits an output optical signal at a central laser frequency and that comprises an external cavity including a semiconductor gain medium and a phase element whose phase is controllable through a control parameter, the method comprising: applying a first electrical modulation signal to the control parameter so as to create a modulation of a length of a cavity optical path at a modulation frequency and with a first modulation depth that causes an optical frequency excursion and an amplitude modulation of the output optical signal; simultaneously applying a second electrical modulation signal to the gain medium at the modulation frequency and at a second modulation depth; detecting a modulation amplitude of the output optical signal; and adjusting the second modulation depth based on an analysis of the modulation amplitude of the laser output signal, wherein the second modulation depth of the second modulation signal has a percentage value not higher than about ⅕ compared to a percentage value of the first modulation depth of the first modulation signal.