Patents by Inventor Derek W. Nam

Derek W. Nam 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).

  • Publication number: 20150020860
    Abstract: A thermoelectric converter is formed by a plenum divided into high and low pressure chambers by a partition and includes a stack of series-coupled alkali-metal thermoelectric cells that projects orthogonally from the partition into one of the chambers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: David M. Rossi, Michael P. Staskus, Derek W. Nam
  • Patent number: 8865999
    Abstract: A thermoelectric converter is formed by a plenum divided into high and low pressure chambers by a partition and includes a stack of series-coupled alkali-metal thermoelectric cells that projects orthogonally from the partition into one of the chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: NanoConversion Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Rossi, Michael P. Staskus, Derek W. Nam
  • Patent number: 6021141
    Abstract: A harmonic generator laser system which features a distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) or distributed feedback (DFB) tunable diode laser coupled to a quasi-phase matched (QPM) waveguide of optically nonlinear material. Tuning of the DBR laser may be achieved either thermally or via current injection, or both, halving the wavelength of a red laser into the visible blue spectral band. Thermal tuning may provide a coarse tuning adjustment, while injected current may provide fine tuning accessible to a user. Separately or in combination with current tuning, a modulation signal may be applied to the DBR laser for achieving an intensity modulated or a pulsed output. In another embodiment, modulation may be achieved by frequency modulation of the laser. A very compact tunable blue laser is formed. In yet another embodiment a double clad fiber amplifier is disposed between the tunable laser and the waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: SDL, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek W. Nam, David F. Welch, Robert G. Waarts, Jo S. Major
  • Patent number: 5644584
    Abstract: A harmonic generator laser system which features a distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) or distributed feedback (DFB) tunable diode laser coupled to a quasi-phasematched (QPM) waveguide of optically nonlinear material. Tuning of the DBR laser may be achieved either thermally or via current injection, or both, halving the wavelength of a red laser into the visible blue spectral band. Thermal tuning may provide a coarse tuning adjustment, while injected current may provide fine tuning accessible to a user. Separately or in combination with current tuning, a modulation signal may be applied to the DBR laser for achieving an intensity modulated or a pulsed output. In another embodiment, modulation may be achieved by frequency modulation of the laser. A very compact tunable blue laser is formed. In yet another embodiment a double clad fiber amplifier is disposed between the tunable laser and the waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: SDL, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek W. Nam, David F. Welch, Robert G. Waarts, Jo S. Major
  • Patent number: 5321718
    Abstract: A compact semiconductor laser light source providing short wavelength (ultraviolet, blue or green) coherent light by means of frequency doubling of red or infrared light from a high power diode heterostructure. The high power diode heterostructure is a MOPA device having a single mode laser oscillator followed by a multimode, preferably flared, optical power amplifier. A tunable configuration having an external rear reflector grating could also be used. A lens could be integrated with the MOPA to laterally collimate the light before it is emitted. Straight or curved, surface emitting gratings could also be incorporated. An astigmatism-correcting lens system having at least one cylindrical lens surface is disposed in the path of the output from the MOPA to provide a beam with substantially equal lateral and transverse beam width dimensions and beam divergence angles. A nonlinear optical crystal or waveguide is placed in the path of the astigmatism-free symmetrized beam to double the frequency of the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: SDL, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Waarts, David F. Welch, Donald R. Scifres, Robert J. Lang, Derek W. Nam
  • Patent number: RE35215
    Abstract: A compact semiconductor laser light source providing short wavelength (ultraviolet, blue or green) coherent light by means of frequency doubling of red or infrared light from a high power diode heterostructure. The high power diode heterostructure is a MOPA device having a single mode laser oscillator followed by a multimode, preferably flared, optical power amplifier. A tunable configuration having an external rear reflector grating could also be used. A lens could be integrated with the MOPA to laterally collimate the light before it is emitted. Straight or curved, surface emitting gratings could also be incorporated. An astigmatism-correcting lens system having at least one cylindrical lens surface is disposed in the path of the output from the MOPA to provide a beam with substantially equal lateral and transverse beam width dimensions and beam divergence angles. A nonlinear optical crystal or waveguide is placed in the path of the astigmatism-free symmetrized beam to double the frequency of the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: SDL, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Waarts, David F. Welch, Donald R. Scifres, Robert J. Lang, Derek W. Nam