A semiconductor laser capable of emitting in any one of standard communication
wavelengths is of great practical value. To this end, a single semiconductor chip
is fabricated on which many different distributed feedback (DFB) lasers are integrated.
The device parameters of the different DFB lasers are varied such that each laser
emits at a different wavelength. In addition a micro-mechanical optical element
is packaged with the laser array, such that the position of the optical element
controls which laser stripe is coupled to the output fiber. The micro-mechanical
element or switch in various embodiments is a sliding waveguide, a movable lens,
or a mirror that tilts. By selecting the particular DFB laser, controlling the
temperature to fine tune the wavelength, and adjusting the position of the micro-mechanical
optical element, the output wavelength is set to one of many communication wavelengths.
