So, I have a bit of end-of-the-year money, and I want to buy a tunable CW source in the 1.5 um vicinity. I'm not too choosy about centre wavelength, but somewhere in the 1480-1630 nm band, and with the maximum tunability consistent with reasonable noise (say 30 dB above shot noise, maximum). Power level is also not too critical, but I'll need at least
1 mW in a single-mode fibre at some point.I'm looking at the following.
An external-cavity diode laser (pretty good, nice narrow line, tuning range only a couple of percent--a bit small)
A collection of DFB lasers (cheaper, potentially wider wavelength range, but much less convenient)
Something else if there is anything.
Price is negotiable depending on how much I like it.
Suggestions?
Cheers,
Phil Hobbs