Patent ID: 6233263
Filing Date: 2001-05-15
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
A monitoring and control assembly for an optical system, comprising:a tunable laser selected from a VCSEL or an edge emitter generating a divergent output beam along an optical axis, the laser including an active region with first and second opposing reflectors that define a laser gain cavity;a first photodetector positioned outside of the laser gain cavity; andan adjustable wavelength selective filter that splits the output beam into a transmitted portion and a reflected portion, the adjustable wavelength selective filter being positioned at an angle .theta. relative to the optical axis to provide an angular dependence of a wavelength reflection of the wavelength selective filter and direct the reflected output beam towards the first photodetector, wherein the wavelength selective filter provides wavelength selectivity by changing the angle .theta. and a ratio of the transmitted and reflected portions is a function of wavelength of output beam and the angle .theta..