A simple, inexpensive wavemeter for measuring the wavelength of optical fiber coupled light sources is described. We determined the wavelength by measuring the wavelength-dependent coupling coefficient of a fused fiber coupler. A prototype device covering the wavelength range of 1500–1600 nm was assembled and tested in the laboratory. The wavemeter had a wavelength uncertainty of less than 0.087 nm over a wavelength range of 1530–1570 nm. The dominant source of error in the test was found to be due to the presence of broadband amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) in the laser output. It is expected that the accuracy of the device can be increased significantly by the introduction of a band-limiting filter to reduce the ASE level.

© 1997 Optical Society of America

[Optical Society of America ]

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Citation lists with outbound citation links are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an OSA member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Log in to access OSA Member Subscription

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Cited by links are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an OSA member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Log in to access OSA Member Subscription

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Article level metrics are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an OSA member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Log in to access OSA Member Subscription