Patent ID: 6847661

Claim:
A single mode tunable laser operable over a range of wavelengths comprising a laser source for providing light with a single wavelength selected from the range of wavelengths, a diffractive element spaced from the laser source for redirecting the light received from the laser source, a reflective element spaced from the diffractive element for receiving the light redirected by the diffractive element and for further redirecting the light back to the diffractive element, the diffractive element receiving the light further redirected by the reflective element and returning the light to the laser source whereby the laser source, the diffractive element and the reflective element cause the light to lase at the wavelength, and at least one microactuator coupled to one of the diffractive element and the reflective element for causing angular movement of such element to permit selection of the single wavelength of the light from the range of wavelengths the laser source, the diffractive element, the reflective element and the at least one microactuator being dart of a tunable laser assembly having a length ranging from 5 to 25 millimeters a width ranging from 4 to 15 millimeters and a height ranging from 3 to 10 millimeters.