Patent ID: 6389047
Filing Date: 2002-05-14
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
A wavelength-selectable laser system comprising:a complex laser cavity defined by a reflective mirror at one end and at the other end, a series of spaced apart wavelength-selective mirrors each defining a respective predetermined cavity length, associated with a specific wavelength; a laser gain element; and an active modulation element in said complex laser cavity operable to selectively mode-lock said cavity with a mode-locking frequency matched to a specific cavity length among said defined predetermined cavity lengths, thereby providing said specific wavelength, said active modulation element being capable of switching from said specific wavelength to another specific wavelength by said selective mode-locking, said active modulation element switching being capable of providing a selectable wavelength channel in communications in a dynamic wavelength division multiplexing network, having multiple wavelength channels, such that each channel enables carrying of information which can be routed and processed independently.