Patents by Inventor David E. Spence
David E. Spence 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).
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Patent number: 11705688Abstract: A laser system having a multi-pass amplifier system which includes at least one seed source configured to output at least one seed signal having a seed signal wavelength, at least one pump source configured to output at least one pump signal, at least one multi-pass amplifier system in communication with the seed source and having at least one gain media, a first mirror, and at least a second mirror therein, the gain media device positioned between the first mirror and second mirror and configured to output at least one amplifier output signal having an output wavelength range, the first mirror and second mirror may be configured to reflect the amplifier output signal within the output wavelength range, and at least one optical system may be in communication with the amplifier system and configured to receive the amplifier output signal and output an output signal within the output wavelength range.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2020Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: NEWPORT CORPORATIONInventors: David E. Spence, Bor-Chyuan Hwang, Curtis Rettig, Thomas Sosnowski, Georg Wien, Victor Terpugoff, James D. Kafka
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Publication number: 20200373727Abstract: A laser system having a multi-pass amplifier system which includes at least one seed source configured to output at least one seed signal having a seed signal wavelength, at least one pump source configured to output at least one pump signal, at least one multi-pass amplifier system in communication with the seed source and having at least one gain media, a first mirror, and at least a second mirror therein, the gain media device positioned between the first mirror and second mirror and configured to output at least one amplifier output signal having an output wavelength range, the first mirror and second mirror may be configured to reflect the amplifier output signal within the output wavelength range, and at least one optical system may be in communication with the amplifier system and configured to receive the amplifier output signal and output an output signal within the output wavelength range.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2020Publication date: November 26, 2020Applicant: NEWPORT CORPORATIONInventors: David E. Spence, Bor-Chyuan Hwang, Curtis Rettig, Thomas Sosnowski, Georg Wein, Victor Terpugoff, James D. Kafka
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Patent number: 10784646Abstract: A laser system having a multi-pass amplifier system which includes at least one seed source configured to output at least one seed signal having a seed signal wavelength, at least one pump source configured to output at least one pump signal, at least one multi-pass amplifier system in communication with the seed source and having at least one gain media, a first mirror, and at least a second mirror therein, the gain media device positioned between the first mirror and second mirror and configured to output at least one amplifier output signal having an output wavelength range, the first mirror and second mirror may be configured to reflect the amplifier output signal within the output wavelength range, and at least one optical system may be in communication with the amplifier system and configured to receive the amplifier output signal and output an output signal within the output wavelength range.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2017Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: Newport CorporationInventors: David E. Spence, Bor-Chyuan Hwang, Curtis Rettig, Thomas Sosnowski, Georg Wein, Victor Terpugoff, James D. Kafka
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Patent number: 10014652Abstract: A novel broadly tunable optical parametric oscillator is described for use in numerous applications including multi-photon microscopy. The optical parametric oscillator includes at least one sub-picosecond laser pump source configured to output a pump signal having a wavelength of about 650 nm or less and at least one type II optical parametric oscillator in optical communication with the pump source and configured to generate a single widely tunable pulsed optical signal. In one application, an optical system is in optical communication with the optical parametric oscillator and configured to direct at least a portion of the optical signal to a specimen, and at least one analyzing device is configured to receive a signal from the specimen in response to the optical signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2014Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: Newport CorporationInventors: James D. Kafka, James Clark, Ching-Yuan Chien, Yujun Deng, Andrei C. Florean, David E. Spence
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Publication number: 20180159298Abstract: A laser system having a multi-pass amplifier system which includes at least one seed source configured to output at least one seed signal having a seed signal wavelength, at least one pump source configured to output at least one pump signal, at least one multi-pass amplifier system in communication with the seed source and having at least one gain media, a first mirror, and at least a second mirror therein, the gain media device positioned between the first mirror and second mirror and configured to output at least one amplifier output signal having an output wavelength range, the first mirror and second mirror may be configured to reflect the amplifier output signal within the output wavelength range, and at least one optical system may be in communication with the amplifier system and configured to receive the amplifier output signal and output an output signal within the output wavelength range.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2017Publication date: June 7, 2018Applicant: Newport CorporationInventors: David E. Spence, Bor-Chyuan Hwang, Curtis Rettig, Thomas Sosnowski, Georg Wein, Victor Terpugoff, James D. Kafka
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Publication number: 20170184942Abstract: The present application is directed to a homogeneous laser light source having a temporally-variable seed source which includes at least one seed source configured to output at least one seed signal, the seed source configured to permit the user to selectively vary at least one temporal characteristic of the seed signal, at least one amplifier in communication with and configured to receive the seed signal and output at least one amplifier signal, at least one nonlinear optical generator is communication with the amplifier, the nonlinear optical generator configured to generate at least one homogeneous harmonic output signal in response to the amplifier signal, wherein the wavelength of the homogeneous harmonic output signal is different than the wavelength of the amplifier signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2016Publication date: June 29, 2017Applicant: Newport CorporationInventors: James Burton Clark, David E. Spence, James David Kafka, Curtis L. Rettig, Bor-Chyuan Hwang, Michael Scott Heuser
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Publication number: 20170179675Abstract: The present application is directed to a homogeneous laser light source and includes at least one modeless seed source configured to output at least one modeless seed signal, at least one amplifier in communication with and configured to receive the modeless seed signal from the seed source and output at least one modeless amplifier signal, and at least one nonlinear optical generator configured to receive the amplifier signal and generate at least one modeless harmonic output signal in response to the modeless amplifier signal, wherein the wavelength of the harmonic output signal is different than a wavelength of the modeless amplifier signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2016Publication date: June 22, 2017Applicant: Newport CorporationInventors: James Burton Clark, David E. Spence, James David Kafka, Curtis L. Rettig, Bor-Chyuan Hwang, Michael Scott Heuser
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Publication number: 20160211642Abstract: A novel broadly tunable optical parametric oscillator is described for use in numerous applications including multi-photon microscopy. The optical parametric oscillator includes at least one sub-picosecond laser pump source configured to output a pump signal having a wavelength of about 650 nm or less and at least one type II optical parametric oscillator in optical communication with the pump source and configured to generate a single widely tunable pulsed optical signal. In one application, an optical system is in optical communication with the optical parametric oscillator and configured to direct at least a portion of the optical signal to a specimen, and at least one analyzing device is configured to receive a signal from the specimen in response to the optical signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2014Publication date: July 21, 2016Applicant: Newport CorporationInventors: James D. Kafka, James Clark, Ching-Yuan Chien, Yujun Deng, Andrei C. Florian, David E. Spence
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Patent number: 8902939Abstract: A novel broadly tunable optical parametric oscillator is described for use in numerous applications including multi-photon microscopy. The optical parametric oscillator includes at least one sub-picosecond laser pump source configured to output a pump signal having a wavelength of about 650 nm or less and at least one type II optical parametric oscillator in optical communication with the pump source and configured to generate a single widely tunable pulsed optical signal. In one application, an optical system is in optical communication with the optical parametric oscillator and configured to direct at least a portion of the optical signal to a specimen, and at least one analyzing device is configured to receive a signal from the specimen in response to the optical signal.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2011Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: Newport CorporationInventors: James D. Kafka, Ching-Yuan Chien, Yujun Deng, Andrei C. Florean, David E. Spence, Jianping Zhou
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Publication number: 20110180729Abstract: A novel broadly tunable optical parametric oscillator is described for use in numerous applications including multi-photon microscopy. The optical parametric oscillator includes at least one sub-picosecond laser pump source configured to output a pump signal having a wavelength of about 650 nm or less and at least one type II optical parametric oscillator in optical communication with the pump source and configured to generate a single widely tunable pulsed optical signal. In one application, an optical system is in optical communication with the optical parametric oscillator and configured to direct at least a portion of the optical signal to a specimen, and at least one analyzing device is configured to receive a signal from the specimen in response to the optical signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2011Publication date: July 28, 2011Applicant: NEWPORT CORPORATIONInventors: James D. Kafka, Ching-Yuan Chien, Yujun Deng, Andrei C. Florean, David E. Spence, Jianping Zhou
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Publication number: 20110103413Abstract: The present application discloses various embodiments and methods of producing a quasi-CW UV laser system having the pulse duration and bandwidth to optimize harmonic conversion while producing a UV output configured to satisfy the constraints imposed by the optical system in optical communication therewith. More specifically, in one embodiment the present application discloses a method of optimizing at least one characteristic of the output of a laser system and includes providing a laser system having at least one spectral modification element in optical communication therewith, determining at least one optical characteristic of the output of the laser system for a given application, selecting the bandwidth of the output of the laser system to provide the determined characteristic, and adjusting the spectral modification element to provide the selected bandwidth.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2008Publication date: May 5, 2011Applicant: Newport CorporationInventors: James D. Kafka, David E. Spence
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Patent number: 6822978Abstract: A laser apparatus includes a modelocked laser system with a high reflector and an output coupler that define an oscillator cavity. An output beam is produced from the oscillator cavity. A gain medium and a modelocking device are positioned in the oscillator cavity. A diode pump source produces a pump beam that is incident on the gain medium. A second harmonic generator is coupled to the oscillator cavity. A third harmonic generator that produces a UV output beam, is coupled to the second harmonic generator. A photonic crystal fiber is provided with a proximal end coupled to the laser system. A delivery device is coupled to a distal portion of the photonic crystal fiber.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2002Date of Patent: November 23, 2004Assignee: Spectra Physics, Inc.Inventors: James D. Kafka, David E. Spence
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Publication number: 20030008448Abstract: A laser apparatus includes a modelocked laser system with a high reflector and an output coupler that define an oscillator cavity. An output beam is produced from the oscillator cavity. A gain medium and a modelocking device are positioned in the oscillator cavity. A diode pump source produces a pump beam that is incident on the gain medium. A second harmonic generator is coupled to the oscillator cavity. A third harmonic generator that produces a UV output beam, is coupled to the second harmonic generator. A photonic crystal fiber is provided with a proximal end coupled to the laser system. A delivery device is coupled to a distal portion of the photonic crystal fiber.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2002Publication date: January 9, 2003Inventors: James D. Kafka, David E. Spence
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Patent number: 6504858Abstract: A high power, diode pumped laser has a Nd:YVO4 gain media. Scaling to higher powers is achieved with the use of a low doped gain media, increasing the length of the gain media as well as increasing the pump volume. Passive cooling is extended to output powers of 10 W or greater.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2000Date of Patent: January 7, 2003Assignee: Spectra Physics Lasers, Inc.Inventors: Emily Cheng, Dave R Dudley, William L. Nighan, Jr., James D. Kafka, David E. Spence, David S. Bell
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Patent number: 6389198Abstract: Fiber delivery systems are desirable to provide convenient delivery of an output beam from a laser system to a target distanced from the source. For ultra-short pulse lasers, a limiting factor in fiber delivery is the dispersion of the optical fiber. A fiber delivery system for ultra-short pulses that uses a photonic crystal fiber to Fprovide the appropriate dispersion is described.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2001Date of Patent: May 14, 2002Assignee: Spectra Physics Lasers, Inc.Inventors: James D. Kafka, David E. Spence
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Publication number: 20010028671Abstract: A high power, diode pumped laser has a Nd:YVO4 gain media. Scaling to higher powers is achieved with the use of a low doped gain media, increasing the length of the gain media as well as increasing the pump volume. Passive cooling is extended to output powers of 10 W or greater.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2000Publication date: October 11, 2001Inventors: Emily Cheng, Dave R. Dudley, William L. Nighan, James D. Kafka, David E. Spence, David S. Bell
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Publication number: 20010024546Abstract: Fiber delivery systems are desirable to provide convenient delivery of an output beam from a laser system to a target distanced from the source. For ultra-short pulse lasers, a limiting factor in fiber delivery is the dispersion of the optical fiber. A fiber delivery system for ultra-short pulses that uses a photonic crystal fiber to Fprovide the appropriate dispersion is described.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2001Publication date: September 27, 2001Inventors: James D. Kafka, David E. Spence
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Patent number: 6236779Abstract: A system is provided that delivers sub-picosecond pulses. The system includes a source that produces an output beam of sub-picosecond pulses at a wavelength no greater than 1.27 microns. A photonic crystal fiber is coupled to the source to receive the output beam. The photonic crystal fiber delivering pulses at the target with a pulsewidth less than 2 times a pulsewidth of the source. A first optical device is positioned between the source and the fiber. The first optical element couples the output beam into an input end of the fiber. A second optical device is positioned at an output end of the fiber that delivers the output beam to a selected target.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 1999Date of Patent: May 22, 2001Assignee: Spectra Physics Lasers, Inc.Inventors: James D. Kafka, David E. Spence
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Patent number: 6185235Abstract: A high power, diode pumped laser has a Nd:YVO4 gain media. Scaling to higher powers is achieved with the use of a low doped gain media, increasing the length of the gain media as well as increasing the pump volume. Passive cooling is extended to output powers of 10 W or greater .Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 1998Date of Patent: February 6, 2001Assignee: Spectra-Physics Lasers, Inc.Inventors: Emily Cheng, Dave R. Dudley, William L. Nighan, Jr., James D. Kafka, David E. Spence, David S. Bell
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Patent number: 6021140Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for mode-locking a laser, comprising reversibly converting radiation in the laser at a fundamental frequency into radiation at a second harmonic frequency, discriminating the radiation at the fundamental frequency using a polarization of the radiation at the fundamental frequency, and reconverting the radiation at the second harmonic frequency into radiation at the fundamental frequency.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 1998Date of Patent: February 1, 2000Assignee: Spectra-Physics Lasers, Inc.Inventors: James B. Clark, David E. Spence, Richard D. Boggy, James D. Kafka