Frequency Agile Laser for Configurable Optical Networks (FALCON)

Increasingly robust and sophisticated sensors developed for military applications are pushing the envelope in terms of the requirements placed upon individual components and sub-systems. Rapid integration of laser transmitters emitting in the 1.5 ¿m regimeinto these systems has applied pressure to provide ever-increasing functionality.Photera proposes the development of a laser that is tunable over a wide range of wavelengths with a random access time in the tens-of-nanoseconds regime. By employing our proprietary use of optical components, the FALCON laser promises rapid tunabilitycombined with output power in excess of 100 mW, narrow spectral linewidth (< 20 kHz) and low noise (both amplitude and phase). This laser will introduce advanced system capabilities for both military and commercial applications that are not achievable withcurrent technologies.The FALCON laser will find use in numerous commercial applications, most heavily weighted towards those in the optical communications areas. The ability to rapidly tune amongst a large number of wavelengths in the 1.5 ¿m regime will enable advanced opticalnetworks to emerge. Using the FALCON device as a single inventory replacement for several individual fixed-wavelength sources, as well as real-time backup for a bank of transmitters in a typical DWDM system, are near-term application areas. As the FALCONlaser product matures, it could find use in applications such as optical communications traffic management and wavelength packet switching; both enabled by the rapid tunability of the FALCON laser.