A multiple wavelength light source generates an output signal having a
comb of accurately spaced apart frequencies with variable free spectral
range in the C-band of optical fiber communication. The light source
employs an electro-optical modulator (EOM) driven by a signal generator
which modulates with EOM with multiple modulation frequencies to widen
the output spectrum of signal. The EOM has a crystal provided with a
waveguide. The waveguide may be doped with a rare-earth metal to impart
gain properties to equalize the intensities of the comb. In one preferred
embodiment, Er, Yt or other doping elements provide the gain property to
waveguides. The crystal is also provided with periodically poled
structure, and this may be engineered so as to form domains of unequal
widths to improve the efficiency of modulation. The output signal from
the light source may be split and presented to a bank of filters to
create a multiple signals, each signal having one of the spaced apart
frequencies. The output signals may be used as channels to be modulated
by data and then combined in dense wavelength division multiplexing
system, or may be used as a soliton source in time-division multiplexed
communication systems.