An external cavity laser apparatus includes a wavelength tuning element
mounted to a carrier on the apparatus's platform. Thermal control of the
platform sets an initial position of the carrier and tuning element, from
which independent tuning of the element can be achieved for wavelength
tuning. The carrier is formed of a liquid crystal polymer that thermally
isolates the tuning element from this platform, for such independent
thermo-optical tuning. The liquid crystal polymer may match the
coefficient of thermal expansion of the carrier to that of the platform.
The support further includes embedded electrodes, either within or on the
outer surface of the carrier, which can couple from the tuning element to
the controller, where in some examples such coupling is direct and
without use of additional electrical traces or wire bonds.