The TL1010-C is a 10-mW CW laser source designed for DWDM transmission systems. It provides distributed feedback laser performance with no mode hopping and high output power with no semiconductor optical amplifier. It is electrically tunable and is locked into the ITU grid over 36 nm in the C-band. Santur Corp. of Fremont, Calif., made this possible using patented technology that combines an addressable distributed feedback diode array with a microelectromechanical coupling mirror.The use of mature DFB laser technology allows the application of well-understood screening and life-test techniques for reliability evaluation.Use of the mirror instead of a lossy star-coupler enables high coupling efficiency and near-passive alignment of the elements in the package, reducing manufacturing costs. A power feedback loop provides automated self-alignment and maximized optical output coupling during operation.The laser is intended for use in long-haul and metropolitan DWDM transport systems that can require up to 160 fixed-wavelength laser sources in one system. The company says that all such parts can now be replaced by one or two parts, greatly reducing the inventory needs of the manufacturer and the user.For applications requiring higher power and broader wavelength coverage, 20-mW and L-band versions of the product are also available.