Patents by Inventor Peter G. Schunemann

Peter G. Schunemann 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: 10234745
    Abstract: A solid state optical beam steering device and method of operation includes converting a frequency or wavelength of a signal in a non-linear converter associated with one channel just before launch. A second channel has a similar constructions and operation. A processor compares the phase difference between the two channels and uses the difference to horizontally steer a beam without moving mechanical parts. This establishes the solid-state nature of the present disclosure. The non-linear converter may be a quasi-phase matched non-linear converter with alternating crystal domains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Paul R. Moffitt, Peter A. Ketteridge, Peter G. Schunemann
  • Publication number: 20190011803
    Abstract: A solid state optical beam steering device and method of operation includes converting a frequency or wavelength of a signal in a non-linear converter associated with one channel just before launch. A second channel has a similar constructions and operation. A processor compares the phase difference between the two channels and uses the difference to horizontally steer a beam without moving mechanical parts. This establishes the solid-state nature of the present disclosure. The non-linear converter may be a quasi-phase matched non-linear converter with alternating crystal domains.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Inventors: Paul R. Moffitt, Peter A. Ketteridge, Peter G. Schunemann
  • Patent number: 10156023
    Abstract: A system and method for producing bulk GaAs with an increased carrier lifetime of at least 10 microseconds is provided. The system and method of producing the GaAs crystal involves using a technique called low pressure hydride vapor phase epitaxy (LP-HVPE). In this technique, a gas containing Ga (typically GaCl) is reacted with a gas containing As (typically AsH3) at the surface of a GaAs substrate. When grown under the proper conditions, the epitaxial, vapor grown GaAs crystal has ultra-long free carrier lifetimes of at least one order of magnitude greater than that of the previous lifetime of 1 microsecond. This very long free carrier lifetime GaAs will be particularly useful as a semiconductor radiation detector material and is also expected to be useful for many other applications than include medical imaging, solar cells, diode lasers, and optical limiters and other applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Peter G. Schunemann, Kevin T. Zawilski
  • Publication number: 20170204533
    Abstract: A system and method for producing bulk GaAs with an increased carrier lifetime of at least 10 microseconds is provided. The system and method of producing the GaAs crystal involves using a technique called low pressure hydride vapor phase epitaxy (LP-HVPE). In this technique, a gas containing Ga (typically GaCl) is reacted with a gas containing As (typically AsH3) at the surface of a GaAs substrate. When grown under the proper conditions, the epitaxial, vapor grown GaAs crystal has ultra-long free carrier lifetimes of at least one order of magnitude greater than that of the previous lifetime of 1 microsecond. This very long free carrier lifetime GaAs will be particularly useful as a semiconductor radiation detector material and is also expected to be useful for many other applications than include medical imaging, solar cells, diode lasers, and optical limiters and other applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventors: Peter G. Schunemann, Kevin T. Zawilski
  • Patent number: 9704706
    Abstract: A novel bulk GaAs with an increased carrier lifetime of at least 10 microseconds has been produced. This novel GaAs has many uses to improve optical and electrical devices. The method of producing the GaAs crystal involves using a technique called low pressure hydride vapor phase epitaxy (LP-HVPE). In this technique, a gas containing Ga (typically GaCl) is reacted with a gas containing As (typically AsH3) at the surface of a GaAs substrate. When grown under the proper conditions, the epitaxial, vapor grown GaAs crystal has ultra-long free carrier lifetimes of at least one order of magnitude greater than that of the previous art of 1 microsecond. This very long free carrier lifetime GaAs will be particularly useful as a semiconductor radiation detector material and is also expected to be useful for many other applications than include medical imaging, solar cells, diode lasers, and optical limiters and other applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Peter G. Schunemann, Kevin T. Zawilski
  • Publication number: 20150235848
    Abstract: A novel bulk GaAs with an increased carrier lifetime of at least 10 microseconds has been produced. This novel GaAs has many uses to improve optical and electrical devices. The method of producing the GaAs crystal involves using a technique called low pressure hydride phase epitaxy (LP-HVPE). In this technique, a gas containing Ga (typically GaCl) is reacted with a gas containing As (typically AsH3) at the surface of a GaAs substrate. When grown under the proper conditions, the epitaxial, vapor grown GaAs crystal has ultra-long free carrier lifetimes of at least one order of magnitude greater than that of the previous art of 1 microsecond. This very long free carrier lifetime GaAs will be particularly useful as a semiconductor radiation detector material and is also expected to be useful for many other applications than include medical imaging, solar cells, diode lasers, and optical limiters and other applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Inventors: Peter G. Schunemann, Kevin T. Zawilski
  • Patent number: 9069229
    Abstract: CdSiP2 crystals with sizes and optical quality suitable for use as nonlinear optical devices are disclosed, as well as NLO devices based thereupon. A method of growing the crystals by directional solidification from a stoichiometric melt is also disclosed. The disclosed NLO crystals have a higher nonlinear coefficient than prior art crystals that can be pumped by solid state lasers, and are particularly useful for frequency shifting 1.06 ?m, 1.55 ?m, and 2 ?m lasers to wavelengths between 2 ?m and 10 ?m. Due to the high thermal conductivity and low losses of the claimed CdSiP2 crystals, average output power can exceed 10 W without severe thermal lensing. A 6.45 ?m laser source for use as a medical laser scalpel is also disclosed, in which a CdSiP2 crystal is configured for non-critical phase matching, pumped by a 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser, and temperature-tuned to produce output at 6.45 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Peter G. Schunemann, Kevin T. Zawilski
  • Patent number: 8493649
    Abstract: CdSiP2 crystals with sizes and optical quality suitable for use as nonlinear optical devices are disclosed, as well as NLO devices based thereupon. A method of growing the crystals by directional solidification from a stoichiometric melt is also disclosed. The disclosed NLO crystals have a higher nonlinear coefficient than prior art crystals that can be pumped by solid state lasers, and are particularly useful for frequency shifting 1.06 ?m, 1.55 ?m, and 2 ?m lasers to wavelengths between 2 ?m and 10 ?m. Due to the high thermal conductivity and low losses of the claimed CdSiP2 crystals, average output power can exceed 10 W without severe thermal lensing. A 6.45 ?m laser source for use as a medical laser scalpel is also disclosed, in which a CdSiP2 crystal is configured for non-critical phase matching, pumped by a 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser, and temperature-tuned to produce output at 6.45 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Peter G. Schunemann, Kevin T. Zawilski
  • Patent number: 8379296
    Abstract: CdSiP2 crystals with sizes and optical quality suitable for use as nonlinear optical devices are disclosed, as well as NLO devices based thereupon. A method of growing the crystals by directional solidification from a stoichiometric melt is also disclosed. The disclosed NLO crystals have a higher nonlinear coefficient than prior art crystals that can be pumped by solid state lasers, and are particularly useful for frequency shifting 1.06 ?m, 1.55 ?m, and 2 ?m lasers to wavelengths between 2 ?m and 10 ?m. Due to the high thermal conductivity and low losses of the claimed CdSiP2 crystals, average output power can exceed 10 W without severe thermal lensing. A 6.45 ?m laser source for use as a medical laser scalpel is also disclosed, in which a CdSiP2 crystal is configured for non-critical phase matching, pumped by a 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser, and temperature-tuned to produce output at 6.45 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Peter G Schunemann, Kevin T Zawilski
  • Publication number: 20110054451
    Abstract: CdSiP2 crystals with sizes and optical quality suitable for use as nonlinear optical devices are disclosed, as well as NLO devices based thereupon. A method of growing the crystals by directional solidification from a stoichiometric melt is also disclosed. The disclosed NLO crystals have a higher nonlinear coefficient than prior art crystals that can be pumped by solid state lasers, and are particularly useful for frequency shifting 1.06 ?m, 1.55 ?m, and 2 ?m lasers to wavelengths between 2 ?m and 10 ?m. Due to the high thermal conductivity and low losses of the claimed CdSiP2 crystals, average output power can exceed 10 W without severe thermal lensing. A 6.45 ?m laser source for use as a medical laser scalpel is also disclosed, in which a CdSiP2 crystal is configured for non-critical phase matching, pumped by a 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser, and temperature-tuned to produce output at 6.45 ?m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter G Schunemann, Kevin T Zawilski
  • Patent number: 6714578
    Abstract: The present invention uses a novel crystal host to minimize parasitic upconversion and lifetime quenching processes by increasing the distance between active dopant ions in the matrix. As a result, erbium that could previously only be useful at low levels may now be incorporated at much higher concentrations without adverse effects. In addition, this host has long excited-state-lifetimes, making it more effective as an energy storage device for pulsed laser applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Inventors: Scott D. Setzler, Peter G. Schunemann, Thomas M. Pollak
  • Publication number: 20020186734
    Abstract: The present invention uses a novel crystal host to minimize parasitic upconversion and lifetime quenching processes by increasing the distance between active dopant ions in the matrix. As a result, erbium that could previously only be useful at low levels may now be incorporated at much higher concentrations without adverse effects. In addition, this host has long excited-state-lifetimes, making it more effective as an energy storage device for pulsed laser applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventors: Scott D. Setzler, Peter G. Schunemann, Thomas M. Pollak
  • Patent number: 6047013
    Abstract: The invention comprises a RE-doped MA.sub.2 X.sub.4 crystalline gain medium, where M includes a divalent ion such as Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Pb, Eu, or Yb; A is selected from trivalent ions including Al, Ga, and In; X is one of the chalcogenide ions S, Se, and Te; and RE represents the trivalent rare earth ions. The MA.sub.2 X.sub.4 gain medium can be employed in a laser oscillator or a laser amplifier. Possible pump sources include diode lasers, as well as other laser pump sources. The laser wavelengths generated are greater than 3 microns, as becomes possible because of the low phonon frequency of this host medium. The invention may be used to seed optical devices such as optical parametric oscillators and other lasers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Stephen A. Payne, Ralph H. Page, Kathleen I. Schaffers, Michael C. Nostrand, William F. Krupke, Peter G. Schunemann
  • Patent number: 5611856
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing single crystals of a group II-IV-V.sub.2 and group I-III-VI.sub.2 compounds by synthesizing compound material from its constituents and separately melting and refreezing the material in a transparent furnace while observing crystal growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Lockheed Sanders, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter G. Schunemann, Thomas M. Pollak