Patents by Inventor Jay W. Dawson
Jay W. Dawson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
-
Patent number: 7907810Abstract: A waveguide includes a cladding region that has a refractive index that is substantially uniform and surrounds a wave-guiding region that has an average index that is close to the index of the cladding. The wave-guiding region also contains a thin ring or series of rings that have an index or indices that differ significantly from the index of the cladding. The ring or rings enable the structure to guide light.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2007Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLCInventors: Michael J. Messerly, Jay W. Dawson, Raymond J. Beach, Christopher P. J. Barty
-
Publication number: 20090296747Abstract: Architectures for coherently combining an array of fiber-based lasers are provided. By matching their lengths to within a few integer multiples of a wavelength, the spatial and temporal properties of a single large laser are replicated, while extending the average or peak pulsed power limit.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2009Publication date: December 3, 2009Inventors: Michael J. Messerly, Jay W. Dawson, Raymond J. Beach
-
Publication number: 20080260338Abstract: A waveguide includes a cladding region that has a refractive index that is substantially uniform and surrounds a wave-guiding region that has an average index that is close to the index of the cladding. The wave-guiding region also contains a thin ring or series of rings that have an index or indices that differ significantly from the index of the cladding. The ring or rings enable the structure to guide light.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2007Publication date: October 23, 2008Inventors: Michael J. Messerly, Jay W. Dawson, Raymond J. Beach, Christopher P.J. Barty
-
Patent number: 7286575Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for producing near-diffraction-limited laser light, or amplifying near-diffraction-limited light, in diode pumped alkali vapor photonic-band-gap fiber lasers or amplifiers. Laser light is both substantially generated and propagated in an alkali gas instead of a solid, allowing the nonlinear and damage limitations of conventional solid core fibers to be circumvented. Alkali vapor is introduced into the center hole of a photonic-band-gap fiber, which can then be pumped with light from a pump laser and operated as an oscillator with a seed beam, or can be configured as an amplifier.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2006Date of Patent: October 23, 2007Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Stephen A. Payne, Raymond J. Beach, Jay W. Dawson, William F. Krupke
-
Patent number: 7269316Abstract: The present invention provides a new and unique method for increasing the photosensitivity of a large diameter optical waveguide having a cross-section of at least about 0.3 millimeters. The method features loading the large diameter optical waveguide with a photosensitizing gas at a pressure at least about 4000 pounds per square inch (PSI) at a temperature of at least about 250° Celsius. The photosensitizing gas may be hydrogen, Deuterium or other suitable gas. The method also includes the step of using a particular large diameter optical waveguide having a core more than 1000 microns from the surface thereof. The method may be used as part of a process for writing a Bragg grating in an inner core or a cladding of the large diameter optical waveguide.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2006Date of Patent: September 11, 2007Assignee: CIDRA CorporationInventors: Jerin J. Russell, Martin A. Putnam, Jay W. Dawson, Trevor W. MacDougall, John R. Troll
-
Patent number: 7123833Abstract: A smart node is provided for use in an optical communications network wherein the smart node comprising dynamically reconfigurable optical signal manipulation devices in combination with sensing devices and processors to provide real time closed and open loop control of various channels of the network.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2002Date of Patent: October 17, 2006Assignee: CiDRA CorporationInventors: Paul Szczepanek, Jay W. Dawson, John A. Moon, Michael A. Davis
-
Patent number: 7082148Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for producing near-diffraction-limited laser light, or amplifying near-diffraction-limited light, in diode pumped alkali vapor photonic-band-gap fiber lasers or amplifiers. Laser light is both substantially generated and propagated in an alkali gas instead of a solid, allowing the nonlinear and damage limitations of conventional solid core fibers to be circumvented. Alkali vapor is introduced into the center hole of a photonic-band-gap fiber, which can then be pumped with light from a pump laser and operated as an oscillator with a seed beam, or can be configured as an amplifier.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2003Date of Patent: July 25, 2006Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Stephen A. Payne, Raymond J. Beach, Jay W. Dawson, William F. Krupke
-
Patent number: 7068897Abstract: The present invention provides a new and unique method for increasing the photosensitivity of a large diameter optical waveguide having a cross-section of at least about 0.3 millimeters. The method features loading the large diameter optical waveguide with a photosensitizing gas at a pressure at least about 4000 pounds per square inch (PSI) at a temperature of at least about 250E Celsius. The photosensitizing gas may be hydrogen, Deuterium or other suitable gas. The method also includes the step of using a particular large diameter optical waveguide having a diameter of greater than 0.9 millimeters. The method may be used as part of a process for writing a Bragg grating in an inner core or a cladding of the large diameter optical waveguide.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2003Date of Patent: June 27, 2006Assignee: CiDRA CorporationInventors: Jerin J. Russell, Martin A. Putnam, Jay W. Dawson, Trevor W. MacDougall, John R. Troll
-
Patent number: 7038844Abstract: An optical fiber amplifier includes a length of silica optical fiber having a core doped with neodymium, a first cladding and a second cladding each with succeeding lower refractive indices, where the first cladding diameter is less than 10 times the diameter of the core. The doping concentration of the neodymium is chosen so that the small signal absorption for 816 nm light traveling within the core is less than 15 dB/m above the other fiber losses. The amplifier is optically pumped with one laser into the fiber core and with another laser into the first cladding.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2003Date of Patent: May 2, 2006Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Jay W. Dawson, Zhi Ming Liao, Raymond J. Beach, Alexander D. Drobshoff, Stephen A. Payne, Deanna M. Pennington, Wolfgang Hackenberg, Domenico Bonaccini Calia, Luke Taylor
-
Patent number: 6934069Abstract: A chromatic dispersion compensation device selectively delays a respective portion of spectral sections of each respective optical channel of an optical WDM input signal to compensate each optical channel for dispersion compensation, and includes a spatial light modulator having a micromirror device with a two-dimensional array of micromirrors. The micromirrors tilt or flip between first and second positions in a “digital” fashion in response to a control signal provided by a controller in accordance with a switching algorithm and an input command. A collimator, diffraction gratings, and Fourier lens collectively collimate, disperse and focus the optical input channels onto the array of micromirrors. Each optical channel is focused onto micromirrors of the micromirror device, which effectively pixelates the optical channels. To compensate an optical channel for chromatic dispersion, a portion of the spectral sections of each channel is delayed a desired time period by tilting an array of mirrors (i.e.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2002Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Assignee: CiDRA CorporationInventors: John A. Moon, Alan D. Kersey, Jay W. Dawson, Joseph Pinto, James R. Dunphy, Michael A. Davis
-
Patent number: 6922277Abstract: A reconfigurable optical interleaver/deinterleaver device combines/separates a pair of optical input signals from and/or to an optical WDM input signal. The interleaver device includes a spatial light modulator having a micro-mirror device with a two-dimensional array of micro-mirrors that flip between first and second positions in a “digital” fashion in response to a control signal provided by a controller in accordance with a switching algorithm and an input command. A pair of collimators, diffraction gratings and Fourier lens collectively collimate, separate and focus the optical input channels and optical add channels onto the array of micro-mirrors. Each optical channel is focused on a plurality of micro-mirrors of the micro-mirror device, which effectively pixelates the optical channels.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2002Date of Patent: July 26, 2005Assignee: CiDRA CorporationInventors: John A. Moon, Alan D. Kersey, Jay W. Dawson, James R. Dunphy, Joseph Pinto, Christian O'Keefe, Paul Szczepanek
-
Patent number: 6834142Abstract: An optical filter for filtering a spectral profile of an optical signal for providing an output signal having a desire gain profile, such as a flatten gain profile. The filter comprises an optical waveguide that includes a core disposed within a cladding having an outer dimension greater than 0.3 mm. A Bragg grating is imparted or written in the core of the waveguide that attenuates the received optical input signal in accordance with a defined reflection or transmission filter profile. The Bragg grating may be a slanted grating. The filter profile is complementary to the spectral gain profile of the input signal to provide an output signal having a substantially flat spectral profile of a desired wavelength band. The cladding of the waveguide may have a mechanically advantageous outer geometry (e.g., a “dogbone” shape) for allowing an axial compressive force to tune the Bragg grating.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2002Date of Patent: December 21, 2004Assignee: CiDRA CorporationInventors: Timothy J. Bailey, Martin A. Putnam, Jay W. Dawson, Joseph Pinto, James S. Sirkis, Paul S. Szczepanek
-
Publication number: 20040247272Abstract: Large area mode operation of fibers with Strehl-ratio-optimizing flat-topped output beams is enabled. The approach entails both refractive index profile engineering and gain profile engineering to realize fiber structures that while supporting several transverse modes only allow a preferred flat-topped mode to lase due to the modal gain discrimination that is engineered in during the fabrication of the structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2003Publication date: December 9, 2004Applicant: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Jay W. Dawson, Raymond J. Beach, Stephen A. Payne, Michael D. Feit, Christopher P.J. Barty, Zhi M. Liao
-
Publication number: 20040037504Abstract: The present invention provides a new and unique method for increasing the photosensitivity of a large diameter optical waveguide having a cross-section of at least about 0.3 millimeters. The method features loading the large diameter optical waveguide with a photosensitizing gas at a pressure at least about 4000 pounds per square inch (PSI) at a temperature of at least about 250E Celsius. The photosensitizing gas may be hydrogen, Deuterium or other suitable gas. The method also includes the step of using a particular large diameter optical waveguide having a diameter of greater than 0.9 millimeters. The method may be used as part of a process for writing a Bragg grating in an inner core or a cladding of the large diameter optical waveguide.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Applicant: CiDRA CorporationInventors: Jerin J. Russell, Martin A. Putnam, Jay W. Dawson, Trevor W. MacDougall, John R. Troll
-
Publication number: 20030185509Abstract: An optical filter for filtering a spectral profile of an optical signal for providing an output signal having a desire gain profile, such as a flatten gain profile. The filter comprises an optical waveguide that includes a core disposed within a cladding having an outer dimension greater than 0.3 mm. A Bragg grating is imparted or written in the core of the waveguide that attenuates the received optical input signal in accordance with a defined reflection or transmission filter profile. The Bragg grating may be a slanted grating. The filter profile is complementary to the spectral gain profile of the input signal to provide an output signal having a substantially flat spectral profile of a desired wavelength band. The cladding of the waveguide may have a mechanically advantageous outer geometry (e.g., a “dogbone” shape) for allowing an axial compressive force to tune the Bragg grating.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2002Publication date: October 2, 2003Inventors: Timothy J. Bailey, Martin A. Putnam, Jay W. Dawson, Joseph Pinto, James S. Sirkis, Paul S. Szczepanek
-
Publication number: 20030174939Abstract: A chromatic dispersion compensation device selectively delays a respective portion of spectral sections of each respective optical channel of an optical WDM input signal to compensate each optical channel for dispersion compensation, and includes a spatial light modulator having a micromirror device with a two-dimensional array of micromirrors. The micromirrors tilt or flip between first and second positions in a “digital” fashion in response to a control signal provided by a controller in accordance with a switching algorithm and an input command. A collimator, diffraction gratings, and Fourier lens collectively collimate, disperse and focus the optical input channels onto the array of micromirrors. Each optical channel is focused onto micromirrors of the micromirror device, which effectively pixelates the optical channels.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2002Publication date: September 18, 2003Applicant: CiDRA CorporationInventors: John A. Moon, Alan D. Kersey, Jay W. Dawson, Joseph Pinto, James R. Dunphy, Michael A. Davis
-
Publication number: 20030095307Abstract: A reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexer (ROADM) selectively drops and/or adds desired optical channel(s) from and/or to an optical WDM input signal. The ROADM includes a spatial light modulator having a micro-mirror device with an array of micro-mirrors, and a light dispersion element. The micro-mirrors tilt between two positions in response to a control signal provided by a controller in accordance with a switching algorithm and input command. Collimators, diffraction gratings and Fourier lens collectively collimate, separate and focus the optical input channels and optical add channels onto the array of micro-mirrors. Each optical channel is focused on micro-mirrors of the micro-mirror device, which effectively pixelates the optical channels. To drop and/or add an optical channel to the optical input signal, mirrors associated with each desired optical channel are tilted away from a return path to the second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2002Publication date: May 22, 2003Applicant: CiDRA CorporationInventors: John A. Moon, Alan D. Kersey, Jay W. Dawson, James R. Dunphy, Joseph Pinto, Christian O'Keefe, Paul Szczepanek
-
Publication number: 20030090756Abstract: A reconfigurable optical channel monitor selects and determines a parameter of desired optical channel(s) from and/or to an optical WDM input signal. The OCM includes a spatial light modulator having a micro-mirror device with a two-dimensional array of micro-mirrors that tilt between first and second positions in response to a control signal from a controller in accordance with a switching algorithm and an input command. A collimator, diffraction grating, and Fourier lens collectively converge the optical input channels onto the micro-mirrors array. The optical channel is focused onto a plurality of micro-mirrors. To select each input channel, a group of micro-mirrors associated with each desired input channel is tilted to reflect the desired input channel back along the return path to a photodetector and processing unit to determine a parameter of the selected input signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2002Publication date: May 15, 2003Applicant: CiDRA CorporationInventors: John A. Moon, Alan D. Kersey, Jay W. Dawson, James R. Dunphy, Joseph Pinto, Christian O'Keefe, Paul Szczepanek
-
Publication number: 20030086150Abstract: A reconfigurable optical interleaver/deinterleaver device combines/separates a pair of optical input signals from and/or to an optical WDM input signal. The interleaver device includes a spatial light modulator having a micro-mirror device with a two-dimensional array of micro-mirrors that flip between first and second positions in a “digital” fashion in response to a control signal provided by a controller in accordance with a switching algorithm and an input command. A pair of collimators, diffraction gratings and Fourier lens collectively collimate, separate and focus the optical input channels and optical add channels onto the array of micro-mirrors. Each optical channel is focused on a plurality of micro-mirrors of the micro-mirror device, which effectively pixelates the optical channels.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2002Publication date: May 8, 2003Applicant: CiDRA CorporationInventors: John A. Moon, Alan D. Kersey, Jay W. Dawson, James R. Dunphy, Joseph Pinto, Christian O'Keefe, Paul Szczepanek
-
Publication number: 20030081321Abstract: An optical cross-connect is provided that selectively switches at least one desired optical channel between a pair of optical WDM input signals. The cross-connect includes a spatial light modulator having a micro-mirror device with a two-dimensional array of micro-mirrors. The micro-mirrors tilt or flip between a first and second position in a “digital” fashion in response to a control signal provided by a controller in accordance with a switching algorithm and an input command. A pair of collimators diffraction gratings and Fourier lens collectively collimate, separate and focus the optical input channels and optical add channels onto the array of micro-mirrors. Each optical channel is focused on the micro-mirrors onto a plurality of micro-mirrors of the micro-mirror device, which effectively pixelates the optical channels. The optical channels have a cross-section (e.g.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2002Publication date: May 1, 2003Applicant: CiDRA CorporationInventors: John A. Moon, Alan D. Kersey, Jay W. Dawson, James R. Dunphy, Joseph Pinto