Patents Examined by Delma R Fordé
  • Patent number: 11979002
    Abstract: Apparatus include a first laser diode situated to emit a beam from an exit facet along an optical axis, the beam as emitted having perpendicular fast and slow axes perpendicular to the optical axis, a first fast axis collimator (FAC) optically coupled to the beam as emitted from the exit facet and configured to direct the beam along a redirected beam axis having a non-zero angle with respect to the optical axis of the first laser diode, a second laser diode situated to emit a beam from an exit facet of the second laser diode along an optical axis parallel to the optical axis of the first laser diode and with a slow axis in a common plane with the slow axis of the first laser diode, and a second fast axis collimator (FAC) optically coupled to the beam as emitted from the exit facet of the second laser diode and configured to direct the beam along a redirected beam axis having a non-zero angle with respect to the optical axis of the second laser diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: nLIGHT, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhigang Chen, Manoj Kanskar, Shuang Li, Jim Zhang, Mark DeFranza, David Martin Hemenway, Eric Martin, Jay Small
  • Patent number: 11973317
    Abstract: In an embodiment, the semiconductor laser (1) comprises a semiconductor layer sequence (2) in which an active zone (22) for generating laser radiation (L) is located. Several electrical contact surfaces (5) serve for external electrical contacting of the semiconductor layer sequence (2). Several parallel ridge waveguides (3) are formed from the semiconductor layer sequence (2) and configured to guide the laser radiation (L) along a resonator axis, so that there is a separating trench (6) between adjacent ridge waveguides. At least one electrical feed (4) serves from at least one of the electrical contact surfaces (5) to guide the current to at least one of the ridge waveguides (3). A distance (A4) between the ridge waveguides is at most 50 ?m. The ridge waveguides (3) are electrically controllable individually or in groups independently of one another and/or configured for single-mode operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: OSRAM OLED GMBH
    Inventors: Jan Marfeld, André Somers, Andreas Löffler, Sven Gerhard
  • Patent number: 11962128
    Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, an optical device is provided. The optical device includes a substrate, a semiconductor layer on the substrate, the semiconductor layer having a beam structure that is subjected to a tensile strain, wherein the beam structure includes a plurality of nanostructures, and wherein, for each nanostructure of the plurality of nanostructures, the nanostructure is configured to locally amplify the tensile strain at the nanostructure to define a strain-induced artificial quantum heterostructure for quantum confinement. According to a further embodiment of the present invention, a method of forming an optical device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Nanyang Technological University
    Inventors: Donguk Nam, Youngmin Kim, Yongduck Jung, Daniel Burt, Hyo Jun Joo, Weijun Fan
  • Patent number: 11955772
    Abstract: A semiconductor light emitting element includes an optical waveguide having a first and second waveguide provided with a width that allows propagation of light in a second-order mode or higher and a multimode optical interference waveguide provided with a wider width than the first and second waveguide and arranged at a position therebetween. The semiconductor light emitting element further includes a first optical loss layer facing the first waveguide in an active-layer crossing direction for causing a loss of light that is propagating in the first waveguide in the second-order mode or higher and a second optical loss layer facing the second waveguide in an active-layer crossing direction for causing a loss of light that is propagating in the second waveguide in the second-order mode or higher, the active-layer crossing direction being orthogonal to a surface of an active layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, KYUSHU UNIVERSITY, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuki Kamata, Koichi Oyama, Hiroyuki Tarumi, Kiichi Hamamoto, Haisong Jiang
  • Patent number: 11916356
    Abstract: An emitter array, may comprise a first set of emitters that has a nominal optical output power at an operating voltage. The emitter array may comprise a second set of emitters that has substantially less than the nominal optical output power or no optical output power at the operating voltage. The first set of emitters and the second set of emitters may be interleaved with each other to form a two-dimensional regular pattern of emitters that emits a random pattern of light at the nominal optical output power at the operating voltage. The first set of emitters and the second set of emitters may be electrically connected in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Lumentum Operations LLC
    Inventors: Vincent V. Wong, Jay A. Skidmore, Matthew Glenn Peters
  • Patent number: 11909167
    Abstract: Multi-Channels coherent beam combining (CBC) using a mechanism for phase and/or polarization locking that uses a reference optical beam and an array of optical detectors each detector being configured and located to detect overall intensity of an optical interference signal caused by interfering of the reference beam and a beam of the respective channel, where the fast intensity per-channel detection allows simultaneous and quick phase/polarization locking of all channels for improving beam combining system performances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: ELBIT SYSTEMS ELECTRO-OPTICS—ELOP LTD.
    Inventors: Zeev Schiffer, Andrey Nazarov, Daniel Levy
  • Patent number: 11901700
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a driving device, a driving method, and a light-emitting unit that make it possible to appropriately drive a light-emitting element. The driving device according to the present invention includes: a setting section (161) that sets at least one of a bias current of a light-emitting element (an LD 121) or a target current for setting output light from the light-emitting element (the LD 121) to desired intensity on the basis of a result of detection of an offset light amount when the light-emitting element (the LD 121) does not emit light; and an output controller (164) that controls an output of a driving current of the light-emitting element (the LD 121) on the basis of at least one of the set bias current or the set target current. The detection of the offset light amount is performed by a light-receiving element (a PD 122) that receives a portion of the output light. The present invention is applicable to a ranging module, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Masumitsu, Katsuhisa Daio, Akihito Kamiegawa, Takeshi Yuwaki, Shouichi Kuroki, Masatoshi Kitada, Hayato Kamizuru
  • Patent number: 11901703
    Abstract: A QCL may include a substrate, and a semiconductor layer adjacent the substrate. The semiconductor layer may define branch active regions, and a stem region coupled to output ends of the branch active regions. Each branch active region may have a number of stages less than 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.
    Inventor: Arkadiy Lyakh
  • Patent number: 11894660
    Abstract: A QCL may include a substrate, and a semiconductor layer adjacent the substrate. The semiconductor layer may define branch active regions, and a stem region coupled to output ends of the branch active regions. Each branch active region may have a number of stages less than 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.
    Inventor: Arkadiy Lyakh
  • Patent number: 11894658
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an approach for monitoring the output power of a VCSEL or VCSEL array in a relatively compact, low profile package. A VCSEL device or VCSEL package of the present disclosure may generally be configured with a photodiode for monitoring output power of one or more VCSELs. In some embodiments, one or more VCSEL devices may be arranged over or on a photodetector, such that the photodetector is configured to detect light emitted through a bottom of the VCSEL. In such embodiments, the VCSEL device may have a patterned bottom metal layer and/or an etched substrate to allow light to pass below or behind the VCSEL to the photodiode. In other embodiments, a photodetector may be arranged on a submount adjacent one or more VCSELs, and may be configured to detect light reflected via a diffuser in order to monitor output power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: VIXAR, INC.
    Inventors: Klein L. Johnson, David Sandquist, Mary Brenner
  • Patent number: 11888281
    Abstract: There is provided a multimode optical amplifier that provides gain to a plurality of propagation modes of signal light. The multimode optical amplifier includes a multiplexer that multiplexes the signal light and excitation light; an amplifying fiber which has a core that propagates a predetermined plurality of propagation modes of the signal light and a predetermined plurality of propagation modes of the excitation light, and which provides an individual gain value for each of the predetermined propagation modes of the signal light; a wavelength-flattening filter that maintains a constant gain value for a frequency for all predetermined propagation modes of the signal light; and a mode-flattening filter that maintains the gain value at a constant value for a predetermined propagation mode of the signal light for all predetermined propagation modes of the signal light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirotaka Ono, Takayuki Mizuno, Koki Shibahara, Yutaka Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 11888286
    Abstract: A laser chip for flip-chip bonding on a silicon photonics chip with passive alignment features. The laser chip includes a chip body made of a p-region and a n-region in vertical direction and extended from a front facet to a rear facet in longitudinal direction, a pair of first vertical stoppers formed respectively beyond two sides of the chip body based on a wider width of the n-region, an active region buried in the chip body between the p-region and the n-region in the vertical direction and extended from the front facet to the rear facet in the longitudinal direction, an alignment mark formed on a top surface of the p-region near the front facet with a lateral distance defined in sub-micron precision relative to the active region; and a thin metal film on the surface of the p-region having a cleaved edge shared with the front facet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: MARVELL ASIA PTE LTD
    Inventors: Xiaoguang He, Radhakrishnan L. Nagarajan
  • Patent number: 11870207
    Abstract: A laser device includes a gain medium, a zero-degree reflective mirror, a first retro-reflective mirror, a second retro-reflective mirror, and an output coupling mirror. The gain medium is used to generate radiation light; the zero-degree reflective mirror has a common optical axis with the gain medium, and the zero-degree reflective mirror is used to totally reflect second-direction radiation light that is incident on the zero-degree reflective mirror in an optical-axis direction; the first-direction radiation light and the first emitted light are spaced from and parallel to each other in opposite directions; the first emitted light and the second emitted light are spaced from and parallel to each other in opposite directions; a resonant cavity is formed between the zero-degree reflective mirror and the output coupling mirror; the output coupling mirror is used to transmit and output first partial radiation light, and reflect second partial radiation light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Inventors: Fei Chen, Yi Chen, Junjie Sun, Jinghua Yu, Zhihuan Yao, Yang He, Kuo Zhang, Deyang Yu
  • Patent number: 11848530
    Abstract: A radio-frequency excited carbon dioxide (CO2) or carbon monoxide (CO) gas laser includes two electrodes, which have passivated surfaces, within a sealed housing. Features in a ceramic slab or a ceramic cylinder located between the electrodes define a gain volume. Surfaces of the ceramic slab or the ceramic cylinder are separated from the passivated surfaces of the electrodes by small gaps to prevent abrasion thereof. Reducing compressive forces that secure these components within the housing further reduces abrasion, thereby extending the operational lifetime of the gas laser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Coherent, Inc.
    Inventors: Leon A. Newman, Michael Leigh Ermold, James Hyland, Thomas V. Hennessey, Jr., Lanny Laughman
  • Patent number: 11848538
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an approach for monitoring the output power of a VCSEL or VCSEL array in a relatively compact, low profile package. A VCSEL device or VCSEL package of the present disclosure may generally be configured with a photodiode for monitoring output power of one or more VCSELs. In some embodiments, one or more VCSEL devices may be arranged over or on a photodetector, such that the photodetector is configured to detect light emitted through a bottom of the VCSEL. In such embodiments, the VCSEL device may have a patterned bottom metal layer and/or an etched substrate to allow light to pass below or behind the VCSEL to the photodiode. In other embodiments, a photodetector may be arranged on a submount adjacent one or more VCSELs, and may be configured to detect light reflected via a diffuser in order to monitor output power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: VIXAR, INC.
    Inventors: Klein L. Johnson, David Sandquist, Mary Brenner
  • Patent number: 11837844
    Abstract: A method for singulating semiconductor components (20) is specified, said method comprising the steps of providing a carrier (21), applying at least two semiconductor chips (22) on the carrier (21), etching at least one break nucleus (23) at a side of the carrier (21) facing the semiconductor chips (22), and singulating at least two semiconductor components (20) by breaking the carrier (21) along the at least one break nucleus (23). The at least one break nucleus (23) extends at least in places in a vertical direction (z), the vertical direction (z) being perpendicular to a main extension plane of the carrier (21), and the at least one break nucleus (23) is arranged between the two semiconductor chips (22) in a lateral direction (x), the lateral direction (x) being parallel to the main extension plane of the carrier (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: OSRAM OLED GMBH
    Inventors: John Brückner, Urs Heine, Sven Gerhard, Lars Nähle, Andreas Löffler, André Somers
  • Patent number: 11817671
    Abstract: A wavelength selection method for a tunable laser includes: obtaining a target wavelength; and calculating target resistance values of two thermistors, respectively, corresponding to the target wavelength. Each of the two thermistors is used to monitor the temperature of a corresponding one of two wavelength selection components. Each of the target resistance values is calculated according to a relationship between a wavelength drift and a resistance change of the corresponding thermistor and according to an initial wavelength and an initial resistance value of the corresponding thermistor corresponding to the initial wavelength. The method further includes: heating the two wavelength selection components to control their temperatures until real-time resistance values of the two thermistors reach the target resistance values, respectively; and stabilizing the real-time resistance values at the target resistance values and outputting a laser beam having the target wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: InnoLight Technology (Suzhou) Ltd.
    Inventors: Liang Luo, Wenkai Tu, Jinan Gu
  • Patent number: 11811187
    Abstract: A non-reciprocal optical assembly for injection locking a laser to a resonator is described. The laser emits a light beam, and the resonator receives the light beam and returns a feedback light beam to the laser such that the feedback light beam causes injection locking. The non-reciprocal optical assembly is interposed between and optically coupled to the laser and the resonator. The non-reciprocal optical assembly includes a first port that receives the light beam from the laser, and a second port that outputs the light beam to the resonator and receives the feedback light beam from the resonator. The first port also outputs the feedback light beam to the laser. The light beam passes through the non-reciprocal optical assembly with a first power loss, and the feedback light beam passes through the non-reciprocal optical assembly with a second power loss (the first power loss differs from the second power loss).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: GM CRUISE HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventors: Vladimir Ilchenko, Lutfollah Maleki, Ivan Grudinin
  • Patent number: 11811192
    Abstract: A diode laser arrangement includes a diode laser device, first and second cooling elements and at least one spacing device. The laser device and spacing device are mutually spaced apart between the first and second cooling elements. The laser device and the spacing device are disposed on respective first and second outer surfaces of respective cooling elements. The first and second cooling elements cool the laser device. The laser device has first and second diode main surfaces. The first diode main surface is on the first outer surface in a first front region and/or the second diode main surface is on the second outer surface in a second front region. The spacing device places the first outer surface in the first front region parallel to the first diode main surface, and/or the second outer surface in the second front region parallel to the second diode main surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: TRUMPF Photonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephan Strohmaier, Arne-Heike Meissner-Schenk, Gerald Urban, Gerd Hansen, Christian Carstens
  • Patent number: 11804695
    Abstract: In some implementations, an emitter module may include an emitter layer including a first emitter array configured to produce a first beam that provides flood illumination, and a second emitter array configured to produce a second beam that provides spot illumination. The emitter module may include a first optics layer, positioned in front of the emitter layer, that includes a first collimating lens positioned in front of the first emitter array, and a second collimating lens positioned in front of the second emitter array. The emitter module may include a second optics layer, positioned in front of the first optics layer, that includes an optical diffuser positioned in front of the first collimating lens, and a beamsplitter grating positioned in front of the second collimating lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Lumentum Operations LLC
    Inventors: John Michael Miller, Lijun Zhu, Huanlin Zhu, Benjamin Kesler, Ajit Vijay Barve