Widely tunable micromachined detectors with wavelength tracking

Micromechanical tunable detectors have demonstrated record tuning and are promising for WDM networks with increased wavelength tolerances. Built in wavelength tracking allows the detectors to be locked to a signal wavelength for as long as desired. Alternatively, continuous tuning is useful for tuning to the exact channel wavelengths of WDM multiplexers or routers. Because the detectors have a record tuning range of 30 nm, channels can be placed further apart with greater tolerance for wavelength errors. Finally, with optimized structures, much wider tuning ranges, up to 100 nm, should be achievable.