Abstract

To fully exploit the advantages of optics for switching applications, the wavelength dimension should be utilised. An optimum photonic switching architecture probably combines optical space and wavelength switching with electronic time switching. Tunable emitters and tunable optical filters are key devices for developing such systems. A category of devices that are particularly interesting is the one comprising tunable laser diodes, that can be operated either as emitters (when biased above the oscillation threshold) or as narrowband filters (biased below the threshold). Filtering has previously been demonstrated in tunable two-section Fabry-Perot lasers [1], in tunable multi-section DFB lasers [2], [3] and in tunable two-section DBR lasers [4].

© 1991 Optical Society of America