Dual‐wavelength optical short‐pulse generation and wavelength switching using multiple‐optical‐paths

Dual‐wavelength optical picosecond pulses are generated simultaneously by using a multiple‐optical‐path self‐seeding scheme. The external cavity of the Fabry–Perot (F–P) laser diode consists of three fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) and a variable optical delay line. The wavelengths of the optical short pulses can be selected conveniently by adjusting the FBG and switched simply by adjusting the optical delay line. A side mode suppression ratio of better than 18 dB is achieved by using a 1:99 optical coupler to enhance the seeding power. The system is simple, easy to operate, and low cost. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 36: 233–235, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.10730