An opto-VLSI based tunable fiber ring laser

We demonstrate a novel Opto-VLSI tunable fiber ring laser structure in which an Opto-VLSI processor driven by steering phase holograms dynamically selects the lasing wavelengths. A proof-of-concept tunable fiber ring laser which has a wavelength tuning range of more than 4 nm around 1530 nm and a side-mode suppression ratio more than 25 dB is demonstrated at room temperature. The output power of the lasing wavelengths can be controlled within 0.5 dB uniformity by reconfiguring the phase hologram of the Opto-VLSI processor. Dual-wavelength laser tuning is also experimentally demonstrated.