Localized thermal tuning of ring resonators

The present invention is directed to an optical ring resonator and the like having a wavelength tuning range which can be varied with accuracy. A thermally tunable resonator includes a resonator body having a resonance wavelength which changes as a function of temperature, a trench formed inside the resonator body, and a disk formed inside the trench and which is made from semiconductor layers, the layers being doped to form a forward biased junction. A first electrode, which does not cover the resonator body, is located atop the disk and in electrical contact with the forward biased junction, and a second electrode is located beneath and in electrical contact with the forward biased junction. When current is applied through the electrodes, heat is generated, changing the resonator body's resonance wavelength. Another thermally tunable resonator has a resonator body and heater in which two contact pads are electrically connected to a resistance above the resonator body. When current is applied to the resistance, heat is generated, changing the resonator body's resonance wavelength. A temperature sensor can be used to sense the resonator body's temperature.