US Patent 7760777 DBR laser with improved thermal tuning efficiency

A distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) includes a base substrate and a gain medium formed on the base substrate. A waveguide positioned above the base substrate in optical communication with the gain medium and defines a gap extending between the base substrate and the waveguide along a substantial portion of the length thereof. The waveguide having a grating formed therein. A heating element is in thermal contact with the waveguide and electrically coupled to a controller electrically configured to adjust optical properties of the waveguide by controlling power supplied to the heating element.