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Abstract

External cavity lasers apparatus and methods that allow fast tuning, high wavelength stability, low cavity losses, and form factors that are comparable to solid state, fixed wavelength lasers. The apparatus comprise a gain medium emitting a light beam, a tunable wavelength selection element positioned in the light beam and configured feed back light of a selected wavelength to the gain medium, and a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) actuator element operatively coupled to the tunable wavelength selection element. The MEMS actuator element may be configured to actuate the tunable wavelength selection element according to a first degree of freedom to select the wavelength of the feedback to the gain medium, and to actuate the actuate the tunable wavelength selection element according to a second degree of freedom to provide phase control of the feedback. The MEMS actuator element and tunable wavelength selection element may additionally be configured such that actuation of the tunable wavelength selection element with respect to a third degree of freedom provides a selectable level of attenuation of the feedback to the gain medium.

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First Claim