Patents by Inventor Liang Dong
Liang Dong 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: 7792394Abstract: Included among the many structures described herein are photonic bandgap fibers designed to provide a desired dispersion spectrum. Additionally, designs for achieving wide transmission bands and lower transmission loss are also discussed. For example, in some fiber designs, smaller dimensions of high index material in the cladding and large core size provide small flat dispersion over a wide spectral range. In other examples, the thickness of the high index ring-shaped region closest to the core has sufficiently large dimensions to provide negative dispersion or zero dispersion at a desired wavelength. Additionally, low index cladding features distributed along concentric rings or circles may be used for achieving wide bandgaps.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2008Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: IMRA America, Inc.Inventors: Liang Dong, Xiang Peng
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Patent number: 7787729Abstract: Various embodiments include large cores fibers that can propagate few modes or a single mode while introducing loss to higher order modes. Some of these fibers are holey fibers that comprising cladding features such as air-holes. Additional embodiments described herein include holey rods. The rods and fibers may be used in many optical systems including optical amplification systems, lasers, short pulse generators, Q-switched lasers, etc. and may be used for example for micromachining.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2005Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Imra America, Inc.Inventors: Liang Dong, William Wong, Martin E. Fermann
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Publication number: 20100189390Abstract: Various embodiments described include optical fiber designs and fabrication processes for ultra high numerical aperture optical fibers (UHNAF) having a numerical aperture (NA) of about 1. Various embodiments of UHNAF may have an NA greater than about 0.7, greater than about 0.8, greater than about 0.9, or greater than about 0.95. Embodiments of UHNAF may have a small core diameter and may have low transmission loss. Embodiments of UHNAF having a sufficiently small core diameter provide single mode operation. Some embodiments have a low V number, for example, less than 2.4 and large dispersion. Some embodiments of UHNAF have extremely large negative dispersion, for example, less than about ?300 ps/nm/km in some embodiments. Systems and apparatus using UHNAF are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2010Publication date: July 29, 2010Applicant: IMRA AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Liang Dong, Xiang Peng, Brian K. Thomas
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Publication number: 20100157418Abstract: Embodiments of optical fiber may include cladding features that include a material (e.g., fluorine-doped silica glass) that may produce a very low relative refractive index difference with respect to cladding material in which the cladding features are disposed. This relative refractive index difference may be characterized by (n1-n2)/n1, where n1 is the index of refraction of the cladding material in which the cladding features are included, and n2 is the index of refraction of the cladding features. In certain embodiments, the relative refractive index difference may be less than about 4.5×10?3.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2009Publication date: June 24, 2010Applicant: IMRA America, Inc.Inventors: Liang Dong, Jun Li, Hugh McKay, Libin Fu, Andrius Marcinkevicius
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Patent number: 7742669Abstract: One or more single mode few-moded or multimode fibers are incorporated into a bundle to carry input to a fiber amplifier or output from a fiber amplifier or a fiber laser. The input is at the signal wavelength, which is the wavelength where amplification or lasing occurs. Each of the fibers in the bundle is cleaved individually or as a group and fiber ends are aligned in the same plane. The fiber amplifier or fiber laser may include a double clad fiber and the other fibers of the bundle couple light for cladding pumping. The device may also include a mode filter for controlling the output mode.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2008Date of Patent: June 22, 2010Assignee: IMRA America, Inc.Inventors: Liang Dong, Donald J. Harter
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Patent number: 7715672Abstract: Various embodiments described include optical fiber designs and fabrication processes for ultra high numerical aperture optical fibers (UHNAF) having a numerical aperture (NA) of about 1. Various embodiments of UHNAF may have an NA greater than about 0.7, greater than about 0.8, greater than about 0.9, or greater than about 0.95. Embodiments of UHNAF may have a small core diameter and may have low transmission loss. Embodiments of UHNAF having a sufficiently small core diameter provide single mode operation. Some embodiments have a low V number, for example, less than 2.4 and large dispersion. Some embodiments of UHNAF have extremely large negative dispersion, for example, less than about ?300 ps/nm/km in some embodiments. Systems and apparatus using UHNAF are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2008Date of Patent: May 11, 2010Assignee: IMRA America, Inc.Inventors: Liang Dong, Xiang Peng, Brian K. Thomas
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Publication number: 20100079855Abstract: Multi-clad optical fibers and fiber amplifiers are disclosed. Various embodiments include multi-clad, large core fiber amplifiers. In various implementations mixing of pump modes is enhanced relative to that obtainable with conventional double-clad fibers. In some embodiments end terminations are provided with increased length of end-cap fiber. In at least one embodiment a multi-clad fiber is provided, with a pump cladding formed by stacking a layer of low index rods in the preform. Various embodiments include a multi-clad fiber amplifier system. The system includes a pump source to pump said fiber amplifier. The system also includes an optical fiber having a core and a cladding, wherein the cladding includes a pump cladding having a corrugated boundary. In various embodiments the pump cladding is formed by rods in a preform, which are disposed to mix the pump modes and/or scatter or reflect pump energy into the core.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2009Publication date: April 1, 2010Inventors: Liang Dong, Hugh McKay
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Patent number: 7672058Abstract: A compound eye is provided. The compound eye includes a microfluidic device defining a plurality of wells therein. A plurality of lenses are disposed in corresponding wells of the microfluidic device. Each lens has a tunable focal length. A tuning structure tunes the focal length of each lens in response to a predetermined stimulus.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2007Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research FoundationInventors: Hongrui Jiang, Liang Dong
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Publication number: 20090303606Abstract: A variable-focus lens assembly is provided. The lens assembly includes a microfluidic device that defines a chamber for receiving a fluid therein. A slip having an aperture therethrough is disposed in the chamber. A first fluid is disposed on the first side of the slip and a second fluid is disposed on the second side of the slip. A lens is formed from the interface of the first and second fluids. The outer periphery is pinned to the slip about the aperture. A turning structure fabricated from a hydrogel material engages the slip and tunes the focal length of the lens in response to a predetermined stimulus.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2009Publication date: December 10, 2009Inventors: Hongrui Jiang, Abhishek K. Agarwal, Liang Dong, David J. Beebe
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Publication number: 20090245729Abstract: Various embodiments of optical fiber designs and fabrication processes for ultra small core fibers (USCF) are disclosed. In some embodiments, the USCF includes a core that is at least partially surrounded by a region comprising first features. The USCF further includes a second region at least partially surrounding the first region. The second region includes second features. In an embodiment, the first features are smaller than the second features, and the second features have a filling fraction greater than about 90 percent. The first features and/or the second features may include air holes. Embodiments of the USCF may provide dispersion tailoring. Embodiments of the USCF may be used with nonlinear optical devices configured to provide, for example, a frequency comb or a supercontinuum.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2009Publication date: October 1, 2009Applicant: IMRA AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Liang Dong, Brian Thomas, Libin Fu
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Publication number: 20090201575Abstract: High power parallel fiber arrays for the amplification of high peak power pulses are described. Fiber arrays based on individual fiber amplifiers as well as fiber arrays based on multi-core fibers can be implemented. The optical phase between the individual fiber amplifier elements of the fiber array is measured and controlled using a variety of phase detection and compensation techniques. High power fiber array amplifiers can be used for EUV and X-ray generation as well as pumping of parametric amplifiers.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2009Publication date: August 13, 2009Applicant: IMRA AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Martin E. FERMANN, Ingmar Hartl, Andrius Marcinkevicius, Liang Dong
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Patent number: 7554743Abstract: A variable-focus lens assembly is provided. The lens assembly includes a microfluidic device that defines a chamber for receiving a fluid therein. A slip having an aperture therethrough is disposed in the chamber. A first fluid is disposed on the first side of the slip and a second fluid is disposed on the second side of the slip. A lens is formed from the interface of the first and second fluids. The outer periphery is pinned to the slip about the aperture. A turning structure fabricated from a hydrogel material engages the slip and tunes the focal length of the lens in response to a predetermined stimulus.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2006Date of Patent: June 30, 2009Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research FoundationInventors: Hongrui Jiang, Abhishek K. Agarwal, Liang Dong, David J. Beebe
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Publication number: 20090123121Abstract: Various embodiments described herein include rare earth doped glass compositions that may be used in optical fiber and rods having large core sizes. Such optical fibers and rods may be employed in fiber lasers and amplifiers. The index of refraction of the glass may be substantially uniform and may be close to that of silica in some embodiments. Possible advantages to such features include reduction of formation of additional waveguides within the core, which becomes increasingly a problem with larger core sizes.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2008Publication date: May 14, 2009Applicant: IMRA AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Liang Dong, Xiang Peng
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Publication number: 20090122308Abstract: Included among the many structures described herein are photonic bandgap fibers designed to provide a desired dispersion spectrum. Additionally, designs for achieving wide transmission bands and lower transmission loss are also discussed. For example, in some fiber designs, smaller dimensions of high index material in the cladding and large core size provide small flat dispersion over a wide spectral range. In other examples, the thickness of the high index ring-shaped region closest to the core has sufficiently large dimensions to provide negative dispersion or zero dispersion at a desired wavelength. Additionally, low index cladding features distributed along concentric rings or circles may be used for achieving wide bandgaps.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2008Publication date: May 14, 2009Inventors: Liang Dong, Xiang Peng
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Publication number: 20090110008Abstract: One or more single mode few-moded or multimode fibers are incorporated into a bundle to carry input to a fiber amplifier or output from a fiber amplifier or a fiber laser. The input is at the signal wavelength, which is the wavelength where amplification or lasing occurs. Each of the fibers in the bundle is cleaved individually or as a group and fiber ends are aligned in the same plane. The fiber amplifier or fiber laser may include a double clad fiber and the other fibers of the bundle couple light for cladding pumping. The device may also include a mode filter for controlling the output mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2008Publication date: April 30, 2009Inventors: Liang Dong, Donald J. Harter
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Publication number: 20090095023Abstract: Various embodiments described include optical fiber designs and fabrication processes for ultra high numerical aperture optical fibers (UHNAF) having a numerical aperture (NA) of about 1. Various embodiments of UHNAF may have an NA greater than about 0.7, greater than about 0.8, greater than about 0.9, or greater than about 0.95. Embodiments of UHNAF may have a small core diameter and may have low transmission loss. Embodiments of UHNAF having a sufficiently small core diameter provide single mode operation. Some embodiments have a low V number, for example, less than 2.4 and large dispersion. Some embodiments of UHNAF have extremely large negative dispersion, for example, less than about ?300 ps/nm/km in some embodiments. Systems and apparatus using UHNAF are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2008Publication date: April 16, 2009Applicant: IMRA AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Liang Dong, Xiang Peng, Brian K. Thomas
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Publication number: 20090073569Abstract: A compound eye is provided. The compound eye includes a microfluidic device defining a plurality of wells therein. A plurality of lenses are disposed in corresponding wells of the microfluidic device. Each lens has a tunable focal length. A tuning structure tunes the focal length of each lens in response to a predetermined stimulus.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2007Publication date: March 19, 2009Inventors: Hongrui Jiang, Liang Dong
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Patent number: 7496260Abstract: Various embodiments described include optical fiber designs and fabrication processes for ultra high numerical aperture optical fibers (UHNAF) having a numerical aperture (NA) of about 1. Various embodiments of UHNAF may have an NA greater than about 0.7, greater than about 0.8, greater than about 0.9, or greater than about 0.95. Embodiments of UHNAF may have a small core diameter and may have low transmission loss. Embodiments of UHNAF having a sufficiently small core diameter provide single mode operation. Some embodiments have a low V number, for example, less than 2.4 and large dispersion. Some embodiments of UHNAF have extremely large negative dispersion, for example, less than about ?300 ps/nm/km in some embodiments. Systems and apparatus using UHNAF are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2007Date of Patent: February 24, 2009Assignee: IMRA America, Inc.Inventors: Liang Dong, Xiang Peng, Brian K. Thomas
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Patent number: 7450813Abstract: Various embodiments described herein include rare earth doped glass compositions that may be used in optical fiber and rods having large core sizes. Such optical fibers and rods may be employed in fiber lasers and amplifiers. The index of refraction of the glass may be substantially uniform and may be close to that of silica in some embodiments. Possible advantages to such features include reduction of formation of additional waveguides within the core, which becomes increasingly a problem with larger core sizes.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2007Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Assignee: IMRA America, Inc.Inventors: Liang Dong, Xiang Peng
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Publication number: 20080240663Abstract: Various embodiments described include optical fiber designs and fabrication processes for ultra high numerical aperture optical fibers (UHNAF) having a numerical aperture (NA) of about 1. Various embodiments of UHNAF may have an NA greater than about 0.7, greater than about 0.8, greater than about 0.9, or greater than about 0.95. Embodiments of UHNAF may have a small core diameter and may have low transmission loss. Embodiments of UHNAF having a sufficiently small core diameter provide single mode operation. Some embodiments have a low V number, for example, less than 2.4 and large dispersion. Some embodiments of UHNAF have extremely large negative dispersion, for example, less than about ?300 ps/nm/km in some embodiments. Systems and apparatus using UHNAF are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2007Publication date: October 2, 2008Applicant: IMRA America, Inc.Inventors: Liang Dong, Xiang Peng, Brian K. Thomas