Patents by Inventor Ronald LaComb

Ronald LaComb 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: 20230275391
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a three-dimensional cylindrical cavity-type laser system capable of supporting circumferential radial emission. A cylindrical ring waveguide provides optical confinement in the radial and axial dimensions thereby supporting a plurality of radial modes, one of a plurality of axial modes and a plurality of degenerate azimuthal modes. These modes constitute a set of traveling wave modes which propagate around the cylindrical ring waveguide possessing various degrees of optical confinement as quantified by their respective Q-factors. Index tailoring is used to tailor the radial refractive index profile and geometry of the waveguide to support radial modes possessing Q-factors capable of producing efficient radial emission, while gain tailoring is used to define a gain confining region which offsets modal gain factors of the modal constituency to favor a preferred set of modes supporting efficient radial emission out of the total modal constituency supported by the resonator..
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: Ronald LaComb, Kevin LaComb
  • Patent number: 11658453
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a three-dimensional cylindrical cavity-type laser system capable of supporting circumferential radial emission. A cylindrical ring waveguide provides optical confinement in the radial and axial dimensions thereby supporting a plurality of radial modes, one of a plurality of axial modes and a plurality of degenerate azimuthal modes. These modes constitute a set of traveling wave modes which propagate around the cylindrical ring waveguide possessing various degrees of optical confinement as quantified by their respective Q-factors. Index tailoring is used to tailor the radial refractive index profile and geometry of the waveguide to support radial modes possessing Q-factors capable of producing efficient radial emission, while gain tailoring is used to define a gain confining region which offsets modal gain factors of the modal constituency to favor a preferred set of modes supporting efficient radial emission out of the total modal constituency supported by the resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Inventors: Ronald LaComb, Kevin LaComb
  • Publication number: 20220407291
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to index guided semiconductor laser devices supporting wide single lateral mode operation for high power operation. A narrow channel ridge waveguide structure is presented which devices can be configured as single lateral multi-spectral high power semiconductor lasers, single frequency lasers, gain chips and semiconductor amplifiers. More specifically it relates to a means for increasing the lateral mode size over that of conventional index guided structures to increase the average output power typically limed by Catastrophic Optical Damage (COD) at the laser facet or by intensity related effects. This potentially allows the overall laser cavity length to be shortened for a given output power level to stabilize frequency locking with internal or external gratings to improve single frequency operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventor: Ronald LaComb
  • Patent number: 11095085
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a laser system. The laser system may have at least non-flat gain media disc. At least one pump source may be configured to generate a beam that pumps the non-flat gain media disc. A laser cavity may be formed by the pump source and the non-flat gain media disc. An output coupler may be included for receiving and directing the output beam toward an external component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignees: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, The Government of the United States as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Jay W. Dawson, Ronald Lacomb
  • Publication number: 20210149001
    Abstract: A high-sensitivity and ultra-low power consumption magnetic sensor using a magnetoelectric (ME) composite comprising of magnetostrictive and piezoelectric layers. This sensor exploits the magnetically driven resonance shift of a free-standing magnetoelectric micro-beam resonator. Also disclosed is the related method for making the magnetic sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: Peter Finkel, Steven P. Bennett, Margo Staruch, Konrad Bussmann, Jeffrey W. Baldwin, Bernard R. Matis, Ronald Lacomb, William Zappone, Julie Lacomb, Meredith Metzler, Norman Gottron
  • Publication number: 20210104861
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a three-dimensional cylindrical cavity-type laser system capable of supporting circumferential radial emission. A cylindrical ring waveguide provides optical confinement in the radial and axial dimensions thereby supporting a plurality of radial modes, one of a plurality of axial modes and a plurality of degenerate azimuthal modes. These modes constitute a set of traveling wave modes which propagate around the cylindrical ring waveguide possessing various degrees of optical confinement as quantified by their respective Q-factors. Index tailoring is used to tailor the radial refractive index profile and geometry of the waveguide to support radial modes possessing Q-factors capable of producing efficient radial emission, while gain tailoring is used to define a gain confining region which offsets modal gain factors of the modal constituency to favor a preferred set of modes supporting efficient radial emission out of the total modal constituency supported by the resonator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Inventor: RONALD LACOMB
  • Patent number: 10877110
    Abstract: A high-sensitivity and ultra-low power consumption magnetic sensor using a magnetoelectric (ME) composite comprising of magnetostrictive and piezoelectric layers. This sensor exploits the magnetically driven resonance shift of a free-standing magnetoelectric micro-beam resonator. Also disclosed is the related method for making the magnetic sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Peter Finkel, Steven P. Bennett, Margo Staruch, Konrad Bussmann, Jeffrey W. Baldwin, Bernard R. Matis, Ronald Lacomb, William Zappone, Julie Lacomb, Meredith Metzler, Norman Gottron
  • Publication number: 20190393667
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a laser system. The laser system may have at least non-flat gain media disc. At least one pump source may be configured to generate a beam that pumps the non-flat gain media disc. A laser cavity may be formed by the pump source and the non-flat gain media disc. An output coupler may be included for receiving and directing the output beam toward an external component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Applicants: LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC, THE GOVERNMENT OF UNITED STATES AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
    Inventors: Jay W. DAWSON, Ronald LACOMB
  • Publication number: 20190245318
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a ring-type laser system supporting circumferential radial emission. A cylindrical ring waveguide provides optical confinement in the radial and axial dimensions supporting a plurality of traveling wave modes with various degrees of confinement. The waveguide contains a gain media which is gain tailored to offset modal confinement factors of the modal constituency to favor radial emission. The selected modes radiate energy as they circulate the laser resonator with a 360 degree output coupler. The design is applicable toward both micro-resonators and resonators much larger than the optical wavelength, enabling high output powers and scalability. The circumferential radial laser emission can be concentrated by positioning the cylindrical ring laser inside a three-dimensional conical mirror thereby forming a laser ring of light propagating in the axial dimension away from the surface of the laser, which can be subsequently collimated for focused using conventional optics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Ronald LaComb, Kevin LaComb, Sallie Townsend
  • Publication number: 20180259599
    Abstract: A high-sensitivity and ultra-low power consumption magnetic sensor using a magnetoelectric (ME) composite comprising of magnetostrictive and piezoelectric layers. This sensor exploits the magnetically driven resonance shift of a free-standing magnetoelectric micro-beam resonator. Also disclosed is the related method for making the magnetic sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Peter Finkel, Steven P. Bennett, Margo Staruch, Konrad Bussmann, Jeffrey W. Baldwin, Bernard R. Matis, Ronald Lacomb, William Zappone, Julie Lacomb, Meredith Metzler, Norman Gottron
  • Patent number: 9246300
    Abstract: A spherical laser includes a transparent or semi-transparent outer spherical vessel having an internal cavity, an amplifying medium in the cavity, and means to excite the amplifying medium. The sphere is provided with a partially reflective coating to act as a spherical optical resonator. The spherical resonator includes a plurality of optically different regions containing alternative optical media from the cavity medium differing in bulk optical parameters utilized for mode tailoring. The optically different regions work collectively to exclude the whispering gallery modes from those supported by the spherical cavity. Excitation of the amplifying medium produces an optical gain. When the gain exceeds cavity losses and threshold conditions are met, lasing is supported. This creates a three-dimensional, spherically radiating emission, emulating a point source. The sphere is enclosed within a mirrored ellipse to image the output to a point, or within a mirrored parabola to columinate the emission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Inventor: Ronald LaComb
  • Publication number: 20130322475
    Abstract: A spherical laser includes a transparent or semi-transparent outer spherical vessel having an internal cavity, an amplifying medium in the cavity, and means to excite the amplifying medium. The sphere is provided with a partially reflective coating to act as a spherical optical resonator. The spherical resonator includes a plurality of optically different regions containing alternative optical media from the cavity medium differing in bulk optical parameters utilized for mode tailoring. The optically different regions work collectively to exclude the whispering gallery modes from those supported by the spherical cavity. Excitation of the amplifying medium produces an optical gain. When the gain exceeds cavity losses and threshold conditions are met, lasing is supported. This creates a three-dimensional, spherically radiating emission, emulating a point source. The sphere is enclosed within a mirrored ellipse to image the output to a point, or within a mirrored parabola to columinate the emission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventor: Ronald LaComb
  • Patent number: 8479583
    Abstract: A quasi-static bend sensor is taught that comprises a layering of a plurality of ionic polymer metal composite (IPMC) sections with intervening dielectric sections in a vertical stack configuration. The IPMC sections are electrically connected in parallel. The surface of the stack is coated with high-purity synthetic isoparaffins for polymer hydration to increase step response consistency. Finally, the vertical stack configuration is electrically connected to an electric field measurement device and a linear quadratic regulator based controller for reducing settling time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Julie LaComb, Ronald LaComb
  • Patent number: 7492805
    Abstract: A spherical laser includes a transparent or semi-transparent outer spherical vessel having an internal cavity, an amplifying medium in the cavity, and means to excite the amplifying medium. The sphere is provided with a partially reflective coating to act as a spherical optical resonator. Excitation of the amplifying medium produces an optical gain. When the gain exceeds cavity losses and threshold conditions are met, lasing is supported. This creates a three-dimensional, spherically radiating emission, emulating a point source. The output is radially diverging, but is harnessed by enclosing the sphere within a mirrored ellipse to image the output to a point, or within a mirrored parabola to columinate the emission. A concentric, reflective inner sphere may be disposed in the cavity, with the amplifying medium lying between the two spheres. A voltage potential is applied between the spheres to excite the medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Inventors: Ronald LaComb, Sallie S. Townsend
  • Publication number: 20090021327
    Abstract: An electrical filter system includes a transmission line and three or more separated photonic bandgap (PBG) structures positioned successively therealong.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventors: Julie Anne LaComb, Ronald LaComb
  • Publication number: 20060227842
    Abstract: A spherical laser includes a transparent or semi-transparent outer spherical vessel having an internal cavity, an amplifying medium in the cavity, and means to excite the amplifying medium. The sphere is provided with a partially reflective coating to act as a spherical optical resonator. Excitation of the amplifying medium produces an optical gain. When the gain exceeds cavity losses and threshold conditions are met, lasing is supported. This creates a three-dimensional, spherically radiating emission, emulating a point source. The output is radially diverging, but is harnessed by enclosing the sphere within a mirrored ellipse to image the output to a point, or within a mirrored parabola to columinate the emission. A concentric, reflective inner sphere may be disposed in the cavity, with the amplifying medium lying between the two spheres. A voltage potential is applied between the spheres to excite the medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Publication date: October 12, 2006
    Applicant: Ronald LaComb
    Inventors: Sallie Townsend, Ronald LaComb