Micromachined wavelength tunable laser with an extended feedback model

We present here a miniaturized wavelength tunable laser with an extended feedback model for potential all optical network applications. The feedback model has been developed to study the wavelength tuning characteristics of the micromachined tunable lasers in the weak and medium feedback limits. The miniaturized tunable laser, having a size of 2 mm /spl times/ 1.5 mm /spl times/ 1 mm, is an integrated Fabry-Perot diode laser with a surface micromachined mirror and a butt coupled optical fiber. A wavelength tuning range of 16 nm is achieved by moving the micromirror laterally, which is done by driving an electrostatic comb drive attached to the three-dimensional micromachined mirror.