Abstract: A fiber tail assembly (FTA) with a micro-lens formed in the fiber tip is used to couple the laser light out of the package and along the fiber. The FTA is soldered at two points where metallized bands are deposited on the fiber pigtail, one at a fiber mount near the diode where it can be soldered into alignment with the laser diode, and two at the snout which forms a feed through the housing and seal for the package. Typically, the FTA is metallized along its entire length within the package. In this invention the two-metallized bands are separated by a region that is unmetallized.

Abstract: A tension adjusting device is attached to an axle member of a driven wheel of a vehicle and is coupled to a forked frame member to adjust tension of a chain. The tension adjusting device has two tension adjusters joined to each side of the axle member that engages a guide recess of the forks of the frame member and support the axle fastener to secure the axle member to the two adjustment plates. The two adjustment plates include extending members that each extend over an end of each fork. An adjustment bore is drilled through the extending member and aligned with the ends of the forks.

Abstract: An optical fiber laser has an output that is stabilized to adapt to changes in laser operating temperature. At the output of the laser a plurality of wavelength-selective stabilizing reflectors is provided, each having a reflectivity profile with a different center wavelength. The reflectors, typically Bragg gratings, have a relative degree of reflectivity and relative wavelength separation that results in the output power of the laser being at one or more of the reflector center wavelengths throughout the temperature change. Thus, as a temperature shift causes the wavelength of the optical energy generated in the laser gain medium to change, the grating-stabilized output of the laser shifts between one locked wavelength and another. However, the output remains stable over the extended wavelength range provided by the multiple reflectors. Such a laser is particularly useful in an amplifier system in which the laser is used as an optical pump source.

Abstract: A microchannel-cooled, optically corrected, laser diode array is fabricated by mounting laser diode bars onto Si surfaces. This approach allows for the highest thermal impedance, in a ruggedized, low-cost assembly that includes passive microlens attachment without the need for lens frames. The microlensed laser diode array is usable in all solid-state laser systems that require efficient, directional, narrow bandwidth, high optical power density pump sources.

Abstract: The invention provides a laser package having a single-mode laser diode for emitting light; a single-mode optical fiber comprising an uncoated microlens formed on an input end of said single-mode optical fiber, the microlens optically coupled to the laser diode for receiving the light, the microlens being constructed so as to reduce a level of back reflection into the laser diode so as not to disturb an operation of the laser diode, wherein a center axis of the single-mode optical fiber is co-planar with an optical axis of the laser diode; and a grating formed in the single-mode optical fiber for providing feedback to the laser diode to stabilize the emitted light from the laser diode. The single-mode optical fiber can include a length of polarization maintaining fiber between the grating and the single-mode laser diode.

Abstract: A monolithic, electrically-insulating substrate that contains a series of notched grooves is fabricated. The substrate is then metalized so that only the top surface and one wall adjacent to the notch are metalized. Within the grooves is located a laser bar, an electrically-conductive ribbon or contact bar and an elastomer which secures/registers the laser bar and ribbon (or contact bar) firmly along the wall of the groove that is adjacent to the notch. The invention includes several embodiments for providing electrical contact to the corresponding top surface of the adjacent wall. In one embodiment, after the bar is located in the proper position, the electrically conductive ribbon is bent so that it makes electrical contact with the adjoining metalized top side of the heatsink.

Abstract: Monolithic microlens frames enable the fabrication of monolithic laser diode arrays and are manufactured inexpensively with high registration, and with inherent focal length compensation for any lens diameter variation. A monolithic substrate is used to fabricate a low-cost microlens array. The substrate is wet-etched or sawed with a series of v-grooves. The v-grooves can be created by wet-etching, by exploiting the large etch-rate selectivity of different crystal planes. The v-grooves provide a support frame for either cylindrical or custom-shaped microlenses. Because the microlens frames are formed by photolithographic semiconductor batch-processing techniques, they can be formed inexpensively over large areas with precise lateral and vertical registration. The v-groove has an important advantage for preserving the correct focus for lenses of varying diameter.

Abstract: A substrate is used to fabricate a low-cost laser diode array. A substrate is machined from an electrically insulative material that is thermally conductive, or two substrates can be bonded together in which the top substrate is electrically as well as thermally conductive. The substrate thickness is slightly longer than the cavity length, and the width of the groove is wide enough to contain a bar and spring (which secures the laser bar firmly along one face of the groove). The spring also provides electrical continuity from the backside of the bar to the adjacent metalization layer on the laser bar substrate. Arrays containing one or more bars can be formed by creating many grooves at various spacings. Along the groove, many bars can be adjoined at the edges to provide parallel electrical conduction. This architecture allows precise and predictable registration of an array of laser bars to a self-aligned microlens array at low cost.

Abstract: Anisotropic chemically enhanced etching apparatus producing extremely low surface damage during the etching process. There is an evacuated main chamber in which an etching process takes place. A temperature-controlled, tiltable stage receives and holds the substrate to be etched within the main chamber. There is a nozzle directing a flow against a substrate mounted on the stage. There is a microwave cracker connected to a supply of molecular chlorine on an input side and connected to the nozzle on an output side for exciting and disassociating the molecular chlorine to be discharged through the nozzle as chlorine radicals. A first controller is operably connected to the cracker for controlling the flow of chlorine radicals being emitted from the nozzle. There is an ion gun for controlling the beam of ions. The second controller includes a feedback signal.