Tunable lasers using sampled grating DBRs

A marketable tunable laser would have low cost, high output power, ultra-wide tuning range, direct or integrated modulation, and high reliability. These criteria have been met with monolithic sampled grating distributed Bragg reflector lasers (SGDBRs). SGDBRs hold high promise in meeting the above requirements and desires. The monolithic SGDBR fabrication approach does not require moving parts and imparts similar device reliability as distributed feedback lasers (DFBs). High speed switching (>1Oms) is possible since temperature tuning is not required.