Tunable Laser with Wide Tuning Range for Plastic Fiber Systems

Plastic Optical Fiber systems provide significantly lower costs, and complexity compared to glass optical fiber systems and are suitable for future short haul communication needs. While Silicon photodiodes provide excellent receiving capabilities there is no efficient tunable laser source for these wavelengths. CoreTek proposes the development of a low cost, manufacturable, widely tunable laser diode that is compatible with optical fiber systems. CoreTek's approach is based on novel use of micromachining to create a tunable edge-emitting laser in a manner that is compatible with array fabrication of such devices. Phase I of the project will involve the design, fabrication and packaging of the proposed device to demonstrate the proof of concept. Plastic optical fibers will be used for a wide range of short haul applications such as short haul networks, industrial numerical control of machines, consumer electronics and local area networks. CoreTek's tunable laser source for these wavelengths (650 nm) will enable the manufacturing of systems using tunable lasers, as well as systems that need a single frequency source stabilized through electronic feedback. It will also find applications in sensing and spectroscopy at these wavelengths.