Patents by Inventor Luis A. Spinelli

Luis A. Spinelli 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).

  • Patent number: 7180928
    Abstract: External-cavity optically-pumped semiconductor lasers (OPS-lasers) including an OPS-structure having a mirror-structure surmounted by a surface-emitting, semiconductor multilayer (periodic) gain-structure are disclosed. The gain-structure is pumped by light from diode-lasers. The OPS-lasers can provide fundamental laser output-power of about two Watts (2.0 W) or greater. Intracavity frequency-converted arrangements of the OPS-lasers can provide harmonic laser output-power of about one-hundred milliwatts (100 mW) or greater, even at wavelengths in the ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum. These high output powers can be provided even in single axial-mode operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Coherent, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrea Caprara, Juan L. Chilla, Luis A. Spinelli
  • Patent number: 7136408
    Abstract: A semiconductor laser includes a multilayer semiconductor laser heterostructure including at least one active layer of a II-VI semiconductor material and is optically pumped by one or more indium gallium nitride (InGaN) diode-lasers. Group II elements in the II-VI semiconductor material are zinc, cadmium, magnesium, beryllium, strontium, and barium. Group VI elements in the II-VI semiconductor material are Sulfur, Selenium, and Tellurium. In one example of the laser an edge emitting heterostructure includes two active layers of zinc cadmium selenide, two waveguide layers of zinc magnesium sulfoselenide, and two cladding layers, also of zinc magnesium sulfoselenide. Proportions of elements in the cladding layer material and the waveguide layer material are selected such that the waveguide layer material has a higher bandgap than the material of the waveguide layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Coherent, Inc.
    Inventors: Luis A. Spinelli, Hailong Zhou, R. Russel Austin
  • Patent number: 7130321
    Abstract: A traveling-wave ring laser resonator includes one or more gain-elements for generating fundamental radiation and three optically nonlinear crystals. A portion of the fundamental radiation is converted to second-harmonic radiation in a first of the crystals. Remaining fundamental radiation and the second-harmonic radiation traverse a second of the optically nonlinear crystals where a portion of each is converted to third-harmonic radiation. Fundamental and second-harmonic radiation pass through the third of the optically nonlinear crystals where most of the second-harmonic radiation is converted back to fundamental radiation. The third-harmonic radiation can be delivered from the resonator as output radiation or mixed with the fundamental radiation in a fourth optically nonlinear crystal to generate fourth harmonic radiation. An optical parametric oscillator arrangement is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Coherent, Inc.
    Inventors: Luis A. Spinelli, Andrea Caprara
  • Patent number: 7035012
    Abstract: An optical pulse extender includes a delay loop formed by a plurality of mirrors and a graded reflectivity beamsplitter. The mirrors and the beamsplitter are configured and aligned such that a pulse to be broadened makes a predetermined number of round trips in the delay loop and is incident on a different zone of the beamsplitter after each round trip. The different zones of the beamsplitter have different reflection values and different transmission values. These values are selected such that the pulse extender delivers a plurality of temporally and spatially separated replica pulses each thereof having about the same energy. The delivered replica pulses together provide an extended pulse having a longer duration than the input pulse. The replica pulses may be passed through a beam homogenizer to spatially homogenize the temporal characteristics of the extended pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Coherent, Inc.
    Inventors: Sergei V. Govorkov, Luis A. Spinelli, William Eugene White, Murray Keith Reed
  • Publication number: 20040086018
    Abstract: External-cavity optically-pumped semiconductor lasers (OPS-lasers) including an OPS-structure having a mirror-structure surmounted by a surface-emitting, semiconductor multilayer (periodic) gain-structure are disclosed. The gain-structure is pumped by light from diode-lasers. The OPS-lasers can provide fundamental laser output-power of about two Watts (2.0 W) or greater. Intracavity frequency-converted arrangements of the OPS-lasers can provide harmonic laser output-power of about one-hundred milliwatts (100 mW) or greater, even at wavelengths in the ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum. These high output powers can be provided even in single axial-mode operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Andrea Caprara, Juan L. Chilla, Luis A. Spinelli
  • Patent number: 6683901
    Abstract: External-cavity optically-pumped semiconductor lasers (OPS-lasers) including an OPS-structure having a mirror-structure surmounted by a surface-emitting, semiconductor multilayer (periodic) gain-structure are disclosed. The gain-structure is pumped by light from diode-lasers. The OPS-lasers can provide fundamental laser output-power of about two Watts (2.0 W) or greater. Intracavity frequency-converted arrangements of the OPS-lasers can provide harmonic laser output-power of about one-hundred milliwatts (100 mW) or greater, even at wavelengths in the ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum. These high output powers can be provided even in single axial-mode operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Coherent, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrea Caprara, Juan L. Chilla, Luis A. Spinelli
  • Patent number: 6590911
    Abstract: A laser includes a resonator terminated by first and second mirrors and including a gain medium providing fundamental radiation. A first optically-nonlinear element is located in the resonator. The first optically-nonlinear element is cooperatively arranged with the first mirror to provide passive modelocking of the fundamental radiation by sequentially converting a first portion of the circulating fundamental radiation to second-harmonic radiation and reconverting a first portion of the second-harmonic radiation to fundamental radiation. A second optically-nonlinear element is arranged to convert a second portion of the second-harmonic radiation to either third-harmonic radiation or fourth-harmonic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Coherent, Inc.
    Inventors: Luis A. Spinelli, Andrea Caprara, Gary Y. Wang, R. Russel Austin
  • Patent number: 6574255
    Abstract: External cavity optically-pumped semiconductor lasers (OPS-lasers) including an OPS-structure having a mirror-structure surmounted by a surface-emitting, semiconductor multilayer (periodic) gain-structure are disclosed. The gain-structure in pumped by light from diode-lasers. The OPS-lasers can provide fundamental laser output-power of about two Watts (2.0 w) or greater. Inactivity frequency-converted arrangements of the OPS-lasers can provide harmonic laser output-power of about one-hundred milliwatts (100 raw) or greater, even at wavelengths in the ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum. These high output powers can be provided even in single axial-mode operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Coherent, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrea Caprara, Juan L. Chilla, Luis A. Spinelli
  • Patent number: 6567434
    Abstract: A laser system includes a travelling-wave active laser-resonator arranged for generating laser-radiation having a first wavelength and arranged such that the first-wavelength radiation circulates in only one direction therein. An optically-nonlinear element is positioned in the travelling-wave laser-resonator such that the first-wavelength radiation circulates therethrough. Radiation having a second-wavelength is injected into the optically-nonlinear crystal such that the first-wavelength radiation and second-wavelength radiation mix therein, thereby generating radiation having the sum-frequency of the first and second-wavelength radiations. The sum-frequency radiation from the optically-nonlinear element is delivered from the laser system as output-radiation. In one example, the travelling-wave resonator has a YVO4 gain medium generating radiation having a wavelength of about 1064 nm. The optically-nonlinear crystal is a CLBO crystal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Coherent, Inc.
    Inventors: Luis A. Spinelli, Briggs Atherton
  • Patent number: 6526073
    Abstract: A laser system includes a travelling-wave active laser-resonator arranged for generating laser-radiation having a first wavelength and arranged such that the first-wavelength radiation circulates in only one direction therein. An optically-nonlinear element is positioned in the travelling-wave laser-resonator such that the first-wavelength radiation circulates therethrough. Radiation having a second-wavelength is injected into the optically-nonlinear crystal such that the first-wavelength radiation and second-wavelength radiation mix therein, thereby generating radiation having the sum-frequency of the first and second-wavelength radiations. The sum-frequency radiation from the optically-nonlinear element is delivered from the laser system as output-radiation. In one example, the travelling-wave resonator has a YVO4 gain medium generating radiation having a wavelength of about 1064 nm. The optically-nonlinear crystal is a CLBO crystal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Coherent, Inc.
    Inventors: Luis A. Spinelli, Briggs Atherton
  • Patent number: 6507593
    Abstract: A laser for delivering laser radiation at a selected one of a plurality of equally-spaced frequencies extending over a frequency range includes a laser resonator defined by two end mirrors. The resonator includes a surface-emitting semiconductor multilayer gain-structure in optical contact with one of the mirrors. A third mirror located in the laser resonator forms an etalon with that mirror. The third mirror is movable for adjusting a peak transmission frequency of the etalon to align with the selected frequency. The resonator end mirrors are spaced apart by an optical distance selected such that the frequency and frequency-spacing of possible longitudinal lasing modes of the resonator correspond with the plurality of equally-spaced frequencies. When the peak transmission frequency of the etalon is aligned with the selected frequency the laser resonator delivers radiation in a single longitudinal mode at the selected frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Coherent, Inc.
    Inventors: Luis A. Spinelli, Juan L. Chilla, Andrea Caprara, Briggs Atherton
  • Publication number: 20020196819
    Abstract: A laser system includes a travelling-wave active laser-resonator arranged for generating laser-radiation having a first wavelength and arranged such that the first-wavelength radiation circulates in only one direction therein. An optically-nonlinear element is positioned in the travelling-wave laser-resonator such that the first-wavelength radiation circulates therethrough. Radiation having a second-wavelength is injected into the optically-nonlinear crystal such that the first-wavelength radiation and second-wavelength radiation mix therein, thereby generating radiation having the sum-frequency of the first and second-wavelength radiations. The sum-frequency radiation from the optically-nonlinear element is delivered from the laser system as output-radiation. In one example, the travelling-wave resonator has a YVO4 gain medium generating radiation having a wavelength of about 1064 nm. The optically-nonlinear crystal is a CLBO crystal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventors: Luis A. Spinelli, Briggs Atherton
  • Publication number: 20020191665
    Abstract: External-cavity optically-pumped semiconductor lasers (OPS-lasers) including an OPS-structure having a mirror-structure surmounted by a surface-emitting, semiconductor multilayer (periodic) gain-structure are disclosed. The gain-structure is pumped by light from diode-lasers. The OPS-lasers can provide fundamental laser output-power of about two Watts (2.0 W) or greater. Intracavity frequency-converted arrangements of the OPS-lasers can provide harmonic laser output-power of about one-hundred milliwatts (100 mW) or greater, even at wavelengths in the ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum. These high output powers can be provided even in single axial-mode operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: Andrea Caprara, Juan L. Chilla, Luis A. Spinelli
  • Patent number: 6438153
    Abstract: External-cavity optically-pumped semiconductor lasers (OPS-lasers) including an OPS-structure having a mirror-structure surmounted by a surface-emitting, semiconductor multilayer (periodic) gain-structure are disclosed. The gain-structure is pumped by light from diode-lasers. The OPS-lasers can provide fundamental laser output-power of about two Watts (2.0 W) or greater. Intracavity frequency-converted arrangements of the OPS-lasers can provide harmonic laser output-power of about one-hundred milliwatts (100 mW) or greater, even at wavelengths in the ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum. These high output powers can be provided even in single axial-mode operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Coherent, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrea Caprara, Juan L. Chilla, Luis A. Spinelli
  • Patent number: 6370168
    Abstract: An intracavity, frequency-doubled, external-cavity, optically-pumped semiconductor laser in accordance with the present invention includes a semiconductor multilayer surface-emitting gain-structure surmounting a Bragg mirror. An external concave mirror and the Bragg-mirror define a stable laser-resonator including the gain-structure. A birefringent filter is located in the resonator, inclined at an angle to the resonator axis, for selecting a fundamental frequency of the laser-radiation within a gain bandwidth characteristic of semiconductor structure. An optically-nonlinear crystal is located in the laser-resonator between the birefringent filter and the gain-structure and arranged to double the selected frequency of laser-radiation. The gain-structure is coated with a dichroic coating which reflects the frequency-doubled radiation and transmits the fundamental radiation and optical pump-light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Coherent, Inc.
    Inventor: Luis A. Spinelli
  • Publication number: 20020024987
    Abstract: External-cavity optically-pumped semiconductor lasers (OPS-lasers) including an OPS-structure having a mirror-structure surmounted by a surface-emitting, semiconductor multilayer (periodic) gain-structure are disclosed. The gain-structure is pumped by light from diode-lasers. The OPS-lasers can provide fundamental laser output-power of about two Watts (2.0 W) or greater. Intracavity frequency-converted arrangements of the OPS-lasers can provide harmonic laser output-power of about one-hundred milliwatts (100 mW) or greater, even at wavelengths in the ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum. These high output powers can be provided even in single axial-mode operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Inventors: Andrea Caprara, Juan L. Chilla, Luis A. Spinelli
  • Patent number: 6324194
    Abstract: A laser system includes a travelling-wave active laser-resonator arranged for generating laser-radiation having a first wavelength and arranged such that the first-wavelength radiation circulates in only one direction therein. An optically-nonlinear element is positioned in the travelling-wave laser-resonator such that the first-wavelength radiation circulates therethrough. Radiation having a second-wavelength is injected into the optically-nonlinear crystal such that the first-wavelength radiation and second-wavelength radiation mix therein, thereby generating radiation having the sum-frequency of the first and second-wavelength radiations. The sum-frequency radiation from the optically-nonlinear element is delivered from the laser system as output-radiation. In one example, the travelling-wave resonator has a YVO4 gain medium generating radiation having a wavelength of about 1064 nm. The optically-nonlinear crystal is a CLBO crystal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Coherent, Inc.
    Inventors: Luis A. Spinelli, Briggs Atherton
  • Patent number: 6298076
    Abstract: External-cavity optically-pumped semiconductor lasers (OPS-lasers) including an OPS-structure having a mirror-structure surmounted by a surface-emitting, semiconductor multilayer (periodic) gain-structure are disclosed. The gain-structure is pumped by light from diode-lasers. The OPS-lasers can provide fundamental laser output-power of about two Watts (2.0 W) or greater. Intracavity frequency-converted arrangements of the OPS-lasers can provide harmonic laser output-power of about one-hundred milliwatts (100 mW) or greater, even at wavelengths in the ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum. These high output powers can be provided even in single axial-mode operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Coherent, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrea Caprara, Juan L. Chilla, Luis A. Spinelli
  • Patent number: 6285702
    Abstract: External-cavity optically-pumped semiconductor lasers (OPS-lasers) including an OPS-structure having a mirror-structure surmounted by a surface-emitting, semiconductor multilayer (periodic) gain-structure are disclosed. The gain-structure is pumped by light from diode-lasers. The OPS-lasers can provide fundamental laser output-power of about two Watts (2.0 W) or greater. Intracavity frequency-converted arrangements of the OPS-lasers can provide harmonic laser output-power of about one-hundred milliwatts (100 mW) or greater, even at wavelengths in the ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum. These high output powers can be provided even in single axial-mode operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Coherent, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrea Caprara, Juan L. Chilla, Luis A. Spinelli
  • Patent number: 6198756
    Abstract: A laser system includes two separate active laser-resonators. A first of the laser-resonators delivers laser-radiation at a first wavelength, and the second generates fundamental laser-radiation at second wavelength. The second resonator includes an optically-nonlinear crystal. The radiation delivered by the first laser-resonator is mixed in the optically-nonlinear crystal with the fundamental radiation circulating in the second resonator thereby generating radiation having the sum frequency of the first and second wavelengths. In one example, an OPS-laser-resonator having a fundamental wavelength of 976 nm includes a CLBO crystal. 244 nm radiation from an intracavity-frequency-doubled 488 nm argon-ion laser is mixed in the CLBO with the 976 nm radiation to provide 195 nm radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Coherent, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrea Caprara, Luis A. Spinelli