Fast and stable frequency switching employing a delayed self-duplex (DSD) light source

A novel frequency-agile light source, the delayed self-duplex (DSD) light source, is constructed using a tunable DBR laser and an optical switch. The DSD light source overcomes the tuning speed limitation of the tunable laser, and also offers suppressed frequency drift due to the thermal effect by employing periodic laser tuning. For 160-GHz-spaced frequency switching, the 4-ns switching time and 2.2-GHz thermal frequency drift inherent to the DBR laser are reduced to 0.4 ns and 0.3 GHz, respectively.<>