Patents by Inventor Scott A. Diddams
Scott A. Diddams 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: 11742955Abstract: An operational environment is disclosed herein that includes a cryogenic environment and a signal source. The cryogenic environment includes a signal target, an optical link, signal converter devices, and an electrical link. Outside of the cryogenic environment, the signal source generates an electric signal. An electric-to-optical converter converts the electrical signal into an optical signal. The optical link delivers the optical signal into the cryogenic environment. Inside the cryogenic environment, an optical-to-electrical converter converts the optical signal back into an electrical signal. The optical-to-electrical converter transfers the electric signal to the signal target.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2022Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignees: The Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporate, Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of CommerceInventors: Florent Lecocq, Josue Davila-Rodriguez, Franklyn John Quinlan, John Teufel, Scott A. Diddams, Jose Aumentado
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Publication number: 20230059433Abstract: An operational environment is disclosed herein that includes a cryogenic environment and a signal source. The cryogenic environment includes a signal target, an optical link, signal converter devices, and an electrical link. Outside of the cryogenic environment, the signal source generates an electric signal. An electric-to-optical converter converts the electrical signal into an optical signal. The optical link delivers the optical signal into the cryogenic environment. Inside the cryogenic environment, an optical-to-electrical converter converts the optical signal back into an electrical signal. The optical-to-electrical converter transfers the electric signal to the signal target.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2022Publication date: February 23, 2023Inventors: Florent Lecocq, Josue Davila-Rodriguez, Franklyn John Quinlan, John Teufel, Scott A. Diddams, Jose Aumentado
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Patent number: 11226534Abstract: Apparatus and methods for generating mid-IR frequency combs using intra-pulse DFG. A mode-locked pulse generation laser generates near-IR pulses which are amplified. The amplified pulses are spectrally broadened by a nonlinear element, for example a normal dispersion highly nonlinear fiber (ND-HNLF) to generate broadened pulses. The nonlinear spectral broadening element is a transparent dielectric material having a cubic nonlinear response. Broadened pulses are temporally compressed to generate short, high-power pulses which few-cycle conditioned pulses which are ready for the intrapulse DFG process. The DFG block generates a mid-IR comb by difference frequency generation. It might comprise an orientation patterned GaP (OP-GaP) crystal or a poled lithium niobate (PPLN) crystal.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2019Date of Patent: January 18, 2022Assignee: Fathom Radiant, PBCInventors: Scott Diddams, Henry Timmers, Abijith J. Kowligy, Alexander Jacob Lind, Scott Papp
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Patent number: 10931077Abstract: An optical reference cavity includes: a cell that includes: a cylindrical body; end faces; an optical canal having an interior cylindrical geometry; and an exterior surface having an exterior cylindrical geometry; mirrors disposed on the end faces; an aspect ratio that is less than 1; a compression clamp that holds the cell through compression and includes compression platens disposed on the end faces so that the compression platens exert a compressive force to the end faces at a radius from a central axis of the cell so that the cell is compressed by the compression clamp, and a length of the optical canal is unperturbed to first order with a magnitude of the compressive force; and a compression intermediary interposed between the compression platens and end faces, wherein the length of the optical canal is insensitive to vibration coupled to the cell by the compression clamp and compression intermediaries.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2019Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCEInventors: Franklyn Quinlan, Scott Diddams, Andrew Ludlow, Frederick Baynes, Josue Davila-Rodriguez
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Publication number: 20200064708Abstract: Apparatus and methods for generating mid-IR frequency combs using intra-pulse DFG. A mode-locked pulse generation laser generates near-IR pulses which are amplified. The amplified pulses are spectrally broadened by a nonlinear element, for example a normal dispersion highly nonlinear fiber (ND-HNLF) to generate broadened pulses. The nonlinear spectral broadening element is a transparent dielectric material having a cubic nonlinear response. Broadened pulses are temporally compressed to generate short, high-power pulses which few-cycle conditioned pulses which are ready for the intrapulse DFG process. The DFG block generates a mid-IR comb by difference frequency generation. It might comprise an orientation patterned GaP (OP-GaP) crystal or a poled lithium niobate (PPLN) crystal.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2019Publication date: February 27, 2020Inventors: Scott Diddams, Henry Timmers, Abijith J. Kowligy, Alexander Jacob Lind, Scott Papp
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Publication number: 20190252848Abstract: An optical reference cavity includes: a cell that includes: a cylindrical body; end faces; an optical canal having an interior cylindrical geometry; and an exterior surface having an exterior cylindrical geometry; mirrors disposed on the end faces; an aspect ratio that is less than 1; a compression clamp that holds the cell through compression and includes compression platens disposed on the end faces so that the compression platens exert a compressive force to the end faces at a radius from a central axis of the cell so that the cell is compressed by the compression clamp, and a length of the optical canal is unperturbed to first order with a magnitude of the compressive force; and a compression intermediary interposed between the compression platens and end faces, wherein the length of the optical canal is insensitive to vibration coupled to the cell by the compression clamp and compression intermediaries.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2019Publication date: August 15, 2019Inventors: Franklyn Quinlan, Scott Diddams, Andrew Ludlow, Frederick Baynes, Josue Davila-Rodriguez
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Patent number: 10067031Abstract: A dual-comb optical-frequency comb generator includes a tunable comb-generating laser, a coarse-comb generator, a fine-comb generator, a second harmonic generator, a coarse-comb offset photodetector, a dual-comb offset photodetector, and a fine-comb photodetector. The coarse comb is self-referencing and coupled to the fine comb so as to enable absolute determination of the frequencies of the fine comb.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2017Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignees: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICAInventors: Kerry Vahala, John E. Bowers, Kartik A. Srinivasan, Scott B. Papp, Scott A. Diddams
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Patent number: 10048567Abstract: An electronic light synthesizer electronically synthesizes supercontinuum light and includes: a microwave modulator that: receives a continuous wave light including an optical frequency; modulates the continuous wave light at a microwave repetition frequency; and produces a frequency comb modulated at the microwave repetition frequency; a self-phase modulator that: receives the frequency comb; spectrally broadens an optical wavelength range of the frequency comb; and produces broadened light modulated at the microwave repetition frequency; an optical filter that: receives the broadened light from the self-phase modulator; and optically filters electronic noise in the broadened light; and a supercontinuum generator that: receives the broadened light from the optical filter; spectrally broadens the optical wavelength range of the broadened light; and produces supercontinuum light modulated at the microwave repetition frequency.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2017Date of Patent: August 14, 2018Assignee: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCEInventors: Scott Papp, Scott Diddams, Katja Beha, Daniel Cole
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Patent number: 10050722Abstract: A signal generator includes an optical pulse source to provide a plurality of optical pulses; a photosensitive element configured to receive optical pulses and to produce an electrical signal from optical pulses 6, electrical signal 10 including a spectrum that includes a plurality of discrete frequencies that occur at a repetition rate corresponding to that of the optical pulses or a harmonic thereof; a frequency selector to receive the electrical signal from the photosensitive element, to select dynamically the harmonic from the electrical signal and to communicate the dynamically selected harmonic; a direct digital synthesizer (DDS) to receive the harmonic of the electrical signal from the frequency selector and to produce a first output; and a frequency converter to receive the harmonic from the frequency selector and the first output from the DDS, wherein the frequency converter shifts a frequency of the harmonic by an amount substantially equal to a frequency of the first output from the DDS to produceType: GrantFiled: September 30, 2015Date of Patent: August 14, 2018Assignee: The United States of America, as Represented by the Secretary of CommerceInventors: Franklyn J. Quinlan, Scott Diddams, Tara Fortier, Antoine Rolland
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Patent number: 10009103Abstract: A microwave-frequency source at frequency fM comprises: a dual optical-frequency reference source, an electro-optic sideband generator, an optical bandpass filter, an optical detector, a reference oscillator, an electrical circuit, and a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO). The sideband generator modulates dual optical reference signals at v2 and v1 to generate sideband signals at v1±n1fM and v2±n2fM. The bandpass filter transmits sideband signals at v1+N1fM and v2?N2fM. The optical detector generates a beat note at (v2?N2fM)?(v1+N1fM). The beat note and a reference oscillator signal are processed by the circuit to generate a loop-filtered error signal to input to the VCO. Output of the VCO at fM drives the sideband generator and forms the microwave-frequency output signal. The resultant frequency division results in reduced phase noise on the microwave-frequency signal.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2016Date of Patent: June 26, 2018Assignees: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCEInventors: Kerry Vahala, Scott Diddams, Jiang Li, Xu Yi, Hansuek Lee
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Publication number: 20180095003Abstract: A dual-comb optical-frequency comb generator includes a tunable comb-generating laser, a coarse-comb generator, a fine-comb generator, a second harmonic generator, a coarse-comb offset photodetector, a dual-comb offset photodetector, and a fine-comb photodetector. The coarse comb is self-referencing and coupled to the fine comb so as to enable absolute determination of the frequencies of the fine comb.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2017Publication date: April 5, 2018Inventors: Kerry Vahala, John E. Bowers, Kartik A. Srinivasan, Scott B. Papp, Scott A. Diddams
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Publication number: 20170277017Abstract: An electronic light synthesizer electronically synthesizes supercontinuum light, the electronic light synthesizer and includes: a microwave modulator that: receives a continuous wave light including an optical frequency; modulates the continuous wave light at a microwave repetition frequency; and produces a frequency comb including the optical frequency and modulated at the microwave repetition frequency; a self-phase modulator in optical communication with the microwave modulator and that: receives the frequency comb from the microwave modulator; spectrally broadens an optical wavelength range of the frequency comb; and produces broadened light including the optical frequency and modulated at the microwave repetition frequency; an optical filter in optical communication with the self-phase modulator and that: receives the broadened light from the self-phase modulator; and optically filters electronic noise in the broadened light; and a supercontinuum generator in optical communication with the optical filterType: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2017Publication date: September 28, 2017Inventors: SCOTT PAPP, SCOTT DIDDAMS, KATJA BEHA, DANIEL COLE
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Publication number: 20170012705Abstract: A microwave-frequency source at frequency fM comprises: a dual optical-frequency reference source, an electro-optic sideband generator, an optical bandpass filter, an optical detector, a reference oscillator, an electrical circuit, and a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO). The sideband generator modulates dual optical reference signals at v2 and v1 to generate sideband signals at v1±n1fM and v2±n2fM. The bandpass filter transmits sideband signals at v1+N1fM and v2?N2fM. The optical detector generates a beat note at (v2?N2fM)?(v1+N1fM). The beat note and a reference oscillator signal are processed by the circuit to generate a loop-filtered error signal to input to the VCO. Output of the VCO at fM drives the sideband generator and forms the microwave-frequency output signal. The resultant frequency division results in reduced phase noise on the microwave-frequency signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2016Publication date: January 12, 2017Inventors: Kerry VAHALA, Scott DIDDAMS, Jiang LI, Xu YI, Hansuek LEE
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Patent number: 9450673Abstract: A microwave-frequency source at frequency fM comprises: a dual optical-frequency reference source, an electro-optic sideband generator, an optical bandpass filter, an optical detector, a reference oscillator, an electrical circuit, and a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO). The sideband generator modulates dual optical reference signals at v2 and v1 to generate sideband signals at v1±n1fM and v2±n2fM. The bandpass filter transmits sideband signals at v1+N1fM and v2?N2fM. The optical detector generates a beat note at (v2?N2fM)?(v1+N1fM). The beat note and a reference oscillator signal are processed by the circuit to generate a loop-filtered error signal to input to the VCO. Output of the VCO at fM drives the sideband generator and forms the microwave-frequency output signal. The resultant frequency division results in reduced phase noise on the microwave-frequency signal.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2015Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignees: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE, THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGYInventors: Kerry Vahala, Scott Diddams, Jiang Li, Xu Yi, Hansuek Lee
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Patent number: 9341781Abstract: An apparatus and technique are used to fabricate optical microresonators. A fabrication chamber contains all fabrication materials and devices. The microresonators are fabricated from a glass preform mounted on a motorized spindle. A laser is focused onto the preform to partly or fully impinge on the preform. The laser's focus position is controlled by changing the positioning of a lens mounted on a translation stage. Piezoelectric control elements may be mounted to finished microresonators to control of nonlinear parametric oscillation and four-wave mixing effects of the microresonator, control of nonlinear optical stimulated Brillouin scattering and Raman effects of said microresonator and wideband tuning of the frequency spacing between the output modes of a nonlinear-Kerr-effect optical frequency comb generated with said microresonator.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2013Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Commerce The National Institute of Standards & TechnologyInventors: Scott Diddams, Scott Papp, Pascal Del'Haye
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Publication number: 20160043810Abstract: A signal generator includes an optical pulse source to provide a plurality of optical pulses; a photosensitive element configured to receive optical pulses and to produce an electrical signal from optical pulses 6, electrical signal 10 including a spectrum that includes a plurality of discrete frequencies that occur at a repetition rate corresponding to that of the optical pulses or a harmonic thereof; a frequency selector to receive the electrical signal from the photosensitive element, to select dynamically the harmonic from the electrical signal and to communicate the dynamically selected harmonic; a direct digital synthesizer (DDS) to receive the harmonic of the electrical signal from the frequency selector and to produce a first output; and a frequency converter to receive the harmonic from the frequency selector and the first output from the DDS, wherein the frequency converter shifts a frequency of the harmonic by an amount substantially equal to a frequency of the first output from the DDS to produceType: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2015Publication date: February 11, 2016Inventors: FRANKLYN J. QUINLAN, SCOTT DIDDAMS, TARA FORTIER, ANTOINE ROLLAND
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Publication number: 20150236784Abstract: A microwave-frequency source at frequency fM comprises: a dual optical-frequency reference source, an electro-optic sideband generator, an optical bandpass filter, an optical detector, a reference oscillator, an electrical circuit, and a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO). The sideband generator modulates dual optical reference signals at v2 and v1 to generate sideband signals at v1±n1fM and v2±n2fM. The bandpass filter transmits sideband signals at v1+N1fM and v2?N2fM. The optical detector generates a beat note at (v2?N2fM)?(v1+N1fM). The beat note and a reference oscillator signal are processed by the circuit to generate a loop-filtered error signal to input to the VCO. Output of the VCO at fM drives the sideband generator and forms the microwave-frequency output signal. The resultant frequency division results in reduced phase noise on the microwave-frequency signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2015Publication date: August 20, 2015Inventors: Kerry Vahala, Scott Diddams, Jiang Li, Xu Yi, Hansuek Lee
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Publication number: 20140090425Abstract: An apparatus and technique are used to fabricate optical microresonators. A fabrication chamber contains all fabrication materials and devices. The microresonators are fabricated from a glass preform mounted on a motorized spindle. A laser is focused onto the preform to partly or fully impinge on the preform. The laser's focus position is controlled by changing the positioning of a lens mounted on a translation stage. Piezoelectric control elements may be mounted to finished microresonators to control of nonlinear parametric oscillation and four-wave mixing effects of the microresonator, control of nonlinear optical stimulated Brillouin scattering and Raman effects of said microresonator and wideband tuning of the frequency spacing between the output modes of a nonlinear-Kerr-effect optical frequency comb generated with said microresonator.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2013Publication date: April 3, 2014Applicant: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of CommerceInventors: Scott Diddams, Scott Papp, Pascal Del'Haye
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Patent number: 6850543Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for stabilizing the carrier-envelope phase of the pulses emitted by a femtosecond mode-locked laser by using the powerful tools of frequency-domain laser stabilization. Control of the pulse-to-pulse carrier-envelope phases was confirmed using temporal cross correlation. This phase stabilization locks the absolute frequencies emitted by the laser, which is used to perform absolute optical frequency measurements that were directly referenced to a stable microwave clock.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2001Date of Patent: February 1, 2005Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of CommerceInventors: Steven T. Cundiff, John L. Hall, Scott A. Diddams, David J. Jones
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Publication number: 20040017833Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for stabilizing the carrier-envelope phase of the pulses emitted by a femtosecond mode-locked laser by using the powerful tools of frequency-domain laser stabilization. Control of the pulse-to-pulse carrier-envelope phases was confirmed using temporal cross correlation. This phase stabilization locks the absolute frequencies emitted by the laser, which is used to perform absolute optical frequency measurements that were directly referenced to a stable microwave clock.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2002Publication date: January 29, 2004Inventors: Steven T. Cundiff, John L. Hall, Scott A. Diddams, David J. Jones