Producing Plural Wavelength Output Patents (Class 372/23)
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Patent number: 8929411Abstract: An apparatus comprises a laser system and a light sensor system. The laser system is associated with a housing and configured to generate a first laser beam and direct the first laser beam toward a surface of an object in which the surface has a plurality of quantum dots. The first laser beam is configured to cause the plurality of quantum dots to generate light. The laser system is further configured to generate a second laser beam and direct the second laser beam toward the light generated by the plurality of quantum dots. The second laser beam is configured to amplify a portion of the light generated by the plurality of quantum dots. The light sensor system is associated with the housing and configured to detect the portion of the light to form data.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2013Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Morteza Safai
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Patent number: 8923350Abstract: Optical pulse source comprising optical pump laser for generating optical pump pulses at repetition rate Rf; a nonlinear optical element comprising an optical fiber for generating supercontinuum pulses; a gating device provided operable to selectively control the launch of pump pulses into the optical fiber at a reduced, lower repetition rate Rr=Rf/N in order to generate supercontinuum pulses at different user selectable repetition rates lower than the pump pulse repetition rate; first and second optical amplifiers; wavelength tunable optical bandpass filter; wherein the optical fiber can generate supercontinuum pulses having a supercontinuum spanning from below 450 nm to greater than 2000 nm; and wherein said optical pulse source comprises an all-fiber source wherein said optical pump laser comprises a fiber oscillator, said gating device comprises a fiber coupled optical modulator, and the optical pump pulses are launched into the optical fiber without the use of free space optics.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2013Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: Fianium Ltd.Inventors: John Redvers Clowes, Anatoly Borisovich Grudinin, Ian Michael Godfrey
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Patent number: 8879588Abstract: A method and device are provided for fast, continuous tuning of an optical source. A first pump signal with a first pump frequency is input into a mixer along with a first seed signal having a first seed frequency. Within the mixer, the first pump signal and the first seed signal generate at least one idler having an idler frequency defined as two times the pump frequency minus the seed frequency. Shifting the pump signal across a frequency range at a sweep rate causes the idler frequency to be shifted by two times the frequency range at two times the sweep rate. The shifted at least one idler is mixed with the shifted pump signal to generate a first mix product that has two times the sweep rate and frequency range of the pump signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2011Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventor: Stojan Radic
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Patent number: 8866870Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for controlling from a first location a laser at a second location are disclosed. Laser orientation data is determined at a first location. The laser orientation data is communicated to the second location. Video data is received from the second location that includes imagery of a laser beam emitted by a laser, and the imagery is presented on a display at the first location.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2011Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventor: David A. Smith
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Patent number: 8867580Abstract: Described herein is a tunable optical filter (1). The filter includes a phase manipulation layer in the form of a liquid crystal material (3) and a diffractive layer in the form of a diffraction grating (5) sandwiched between an upper glass layer (7) and lower silicon layer (9). Grating (5) includes a grating structure (11) etched therein for angularly diffracting an input optical signal into a plurality of constituent wavelength components according to wavelength. Material (3) includes a two-dimensional array of independently addressable pixels (13), each pixel configured for receiving a drive signal and, in response to the drive signal, selectively modifying the phase of the wavelength components incident onto each pixel to directionally steer the components along respective angularly separated paths. By suitable steering of the wavelength components, at least one wavelength component is coupled along a predetermined collection path to an optical system such as a laser cavity.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2013Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Finisar CorporationInventor: Steven James Frisken
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Patent number: 8861555Abstract: Compact laser systems are disclosed which include ultrafast laser sources in combination with nonlinear crystals or waveguides. In some implementations fiber based mid-IR sources producing very short pulses and/or mid-IR sources based on a mode locked fiber lasers are utilized. A difference frequency generator receives outputs from the ultrafast sources, and generates an output including a difference frequency. The output power from the difference frequency generator can further be enhanced via the implementation of large core dispersion shifted fibers. Exemplary applications of the compact, high brightness mid-IR light sources include medical applications, spectroscopy, ranging, sensing and metrology.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2012Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: IMRA America, Inc.Inventors: Martin E. Fermann, Jens Bethge, Ingmar Hartl
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Patent number: 8861557Abstract: A wavelength-tunable light source includes light sources having differing variable wavelength regions, where light sources having adjacent wavelength regions are distributed to different systems. The light sources are each set such that an end portion of the variable wavelength region of the light source overlaps an end portion of the variable wavelength region of another light source. A control unit selects and drives a first light source of a first system, varies a wavelength of the first light source, selects a second light source that is of a second system among the different systems and that has a wavelength region overlapping the variable wavelength region of the first light source, drives the second light source concurrently with the first light source and subsequently switches to the output light of the second light source, causing wavelength variation and executing continuous wavelength variation over a wide range.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2013Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventors: Goji Nakagawa, Takeshi Hoshida
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Patent number: 8848750Abstract: An optical pulse source comprising a DPSS pump laser, a photonic crystal fiber (PCF), and acousto-optic modulator (AOM) gating device is disclosed. The pump pulses are coupled through lenses to the AOM gating device, which is synchronized to the pump laser and is operable to gate the pump pulses to a reduced repetition rate Rr=Rf/N, where Rf is the pump laser fundamental frequency. The pulses from the AOM are injected via optics into the PCF. Propagation through the PCF causes the pulses to broaden spectrally to produce optical supercontinuum pulses. An optical pulse source that further includes an acousto-optical tunable filter (AOTF) operable to convert the optical supercontinuum pulses into wavelength variable output pulses is also provided. A method of scaling the energy of the optical supercontinuum pulses is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2008Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Fianium Ltd.Inventors: John Clowes, Anatoly Grudinin, Ian Godfrey
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Patent number: 8831047Abstract: The multi-wavelength laser is a ring laser source working at room temperature. The laser has an inner cavity disposed in an outer cavity. A pair of circulators disposed in the inner cavity is configured to assure counter-propagation of light between the inner cavity and the outer cavity. A gain-clamped semiconductor optical amplifier (GC-SOA) is formed by combining a SOA and a Fiber Fabry-Perot Tunable Filter (FFP-TF) with the circulator pair. This configuration in the laser cavity results in an improvement in terms of transient gain excursions by applying an optical feedback. This attribute of the GC-SOA enables realizing a stable multi-wavelength laser source.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2013Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and MineralsInventor: Khurram Karim Qureshi
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Patent number: 8817832Abstract: A multi-wavelength laser array of a plurality of emitters in a diode bar or stack where each beam is deflected by a different angle to be incident upon a uniform volume holographic grating with a portion of the beam being deflected as a feedback portion while a further portion provides a wavelength tuned output unique to each emitter. The arrangement of a uniform volume holographic grating with deflectors such as phaseplates eliminates the need to use expensive wavelength chirped gratings.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2012Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: Power Photonic Ltd.Inventors: Natalia Trela, Howard John Baker, Roy McBride
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Patent number: 8811435Abstract: The invention relates to a laser device, comprising a radiation source (1) that emits radiation having a spectrum in the form of a frequency comb having a plurality of equidistant spectral lines, and a difference frequency generator (5) that converts the radiation in such a manner that the spectrum of the converted radiation once again has the form of a frequency comb, whereby the frequencies of the spectral lines in the spectrum of the converted radiation are harmonics of a base frequency. The invention proposes that a frequency multiplier (6) follows the difference frequency generator (5) in the course of the radiation.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2011Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: TOPTICA Photonics AGInventor: Thomas Hellerer
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Publication number: 20140226685Abstract: Provided is an optical vortex laser oscillation device which is capable of an increased out and can generate an optical vortex even in a wide frequency range and if the optical vortex has a quantum number which is not an integer. A laser device according to one embodiment of the present application comprises: a laser light source for generating laser light; an optical vortex generation unit for generating an energized optical vortex on the basis of the laser light generated by the laser light source; and an optical resonance unit for resonating the energized optical vortex generated by the optical vortex generation unit and dividing the energized optical vortex into signal light and idler light.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2012Publication date: August 14, 2014Inventors: Takashige Omatsu, Katsuhiko Miyamoto
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Patent number: 8786940Abstract: An apparatus and method that reduces laser speckle by using stimulated Raman scattering in an optical fiber. The fiber core diameter and length are selected to achieve a desired output color. An adjustable despeckler is formed by combining two optical fibers in parallel and adjusting the amount of light in each path.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2010Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Laser Light Engines, Inc.Inventors: Barret Lippey, William Beck, Ian Turner
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Patent number: 8780946Abstract: An ultraviolet laser device equips a laser beam output unit that includes first, second and third amplifiers that output first through third infrared laser beams, and first through third optical systems into which the first through third infrared laser beams through which the first through third infrared laser beams are propagated. A wavelength conversion unit includes a fourth optical system into which the combined first through third laser beams are incident through which they are propagated. The first optical system wavelength converts and generates the first infrared laser beam to a predetermined harmonic wave as the first laser beam, the fourth optical system includes a first wavelength conversion element that generates an earlier stage ultraviolet laser beam between the predetermined harmonic wave and the second laser beam, and the second wavelength conversion element generates an ultraviolet laser beam between the earlier stage ultraviolet laser beam and the third laser beam.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2011Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventor: Akira Tokuhisa
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Patent number: 8767789Abstract: A method of fabrication of laser gain material and utilization of such media includes the steps of introducing a transitional metal, preferably Cr2+ thin film of controllable thickness on the ZnS crystal facets after crystal growth by means of pulse laser deposition or plasma sputtering, thermal annealing of the crystals for effective thermal diffusion of the dopant into the crystal volume with a temperature and exposition time providing the highest concentration of the dopant in the volume without degrading laser performance due to scattering and concentration quenching, and formation of a microchip laser either by means of direct deposition of mirrors on flat and parallel polished facets of a thin Cr:ZnS wafer or by relying on the internal reflectance of such facets. Multiple applications of the laser material are contemplated in the invention.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2011Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: The UAB Research FoundationInventors: Sergey B. Mirov, Vladimir V. Fedorov
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Patent number: 8743919Abstract: The invention relates to a method for generating coherent-phase light having a predefinable frequency value (?Soll), comprising the steps of generating working light with a working frequency (?SL), generating a frequency comb (10), which is a light field that consists of equidistant coherent-phase spectral lines, selecting a comb line (having the index m) from the frequency comb (10) having a frequency (?m), generating a frequency shift (??) of the frequency comb (10) and/or the working frequency (?SL) by means of time-dependent phase settings (?S(t)) modulo a multiple of 2?, in particular of 2?, and phase-coupling the possibly frequency-shifted fields of the working light (?SL) and the one possibly frequency-shifted frequency comb line (?m), so that the frequencies thereof are rigidly phase-coupled via the frequency shift (??), and working light having the desired frequency (?Soll) is obtained.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2011Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Bundesrepublik Deutschland, vertreten durch das Bundesministerium fuer Wirtschaft und Technologie, dieses vertreten durch den Praesidenten der Physikalisch-Technischen BundesantaltInventors: Harald Telle, Erik Benkler
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Patent number: 8737439Abstract: The invention relates to an optical assembly (1) comprising a pulsed light source (2) for generating primary light pulses (4), a pulse splitter (5) for splitting said primary light pulses (4) into first and second secondary light pulses (7), and a delay element (8) for delaying said second secondary light pulses (7) relative to said first secondary light pulses (6), where the pulse repetition rate of said pulsed light source (2) is variable in order to change a temporal delay between different secondary light pulses (6,7) The invention is characterized in that said optical assembly (1) comprises a thermal insulation (12), a temperature stabilizer (16) or a temperature compensator (13) for said delay element (8) and/or a control circuit (27) for determining and controlling a drift of said pulse repetition rate.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2013Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Menlo Systems GmbHInventors: Rafal Wilk, Ronald Holzwarth, Michael Mei
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Patent number: 8718104Abstract: An optical pulse source for generating optical supercontinuum pulses comprises an optical pump laser operable to generate optical pump pulses at a pump pulse repetition rate Rf; a nonlinear optical element comprising an optical fiber for generating optical supercontinuum pulses; an optical modulator operable to selectively control the launch of pump pulses into the optical fiber at a reduced, lower repetition rate Rr=Rf/N in order to generate optical supercontinuum pulses at a selectable and lower repetition rate; an optical fiber amplifier located between the optical modulator and the optical pump laser; wherein the optical supercontinuum pulses generated by the optical fiber have a supercontinuum spanning from below 450 nm to greater than 2000 nm; wherein the optical pulse source is provided with a microprocessor configured to determine when supercontinuum pulses are delivered; and wherein the optical pulse source is configured to provide an output trigger signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2013Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Fianium Ltd.Inventors: John Redvers Clowes, Anatoly Borisovich Grudinin, Ian Michael Godfrey
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Patent number: 8711894Abstract: A high-brightness laser module is configured with a beam-compression unit capable of reducing a diameter of parallel light beams which are emitted by respective spaced apart individual laser diodes. The module further has an objective lens configured to losslessly launch the light with the reduced diameter into a fiber.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2010Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: IPG Photonics CorporationInventors: Vadim Chuyanov, Alexey Komissarov
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Patent number: 8693513Abstract: An optical system includes an electrically pumped laser light source and an optically pumped laser light source. An optical switch is located in a light path of the electrically pumped laser light source such that when the optical switch is in a first position light from the electrically pumped laser light source is directed toward the optically pumped laser light source and when the optical switch is in a second position light from the electrically pumped laser light source is directed away from the optically pumped laser light source.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2011Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Photodigm, Inc.Inventors: Martin Achtenhagen, John Edward Spencer
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Patent number: 8665918Abstract: A system is provided for providing high power, wavelength tunable, laser radiation, the system comprising: a plurality of seeder sources, each the source of the plurality having a different seeder wavelength; a Ytterbium doped amplifier chain, receiving radiation from the plurality of seeder sources and at least one pump source; a second harmonic generator communicating with the Ytterbium doped amplifier chain, the second harmonic generator comprising converting radiation of the seeder wavelength into radiation of a second harmonic wavelength; and wherein the second harmonic generator comprises a crystal having a plurality of grating segments, wherein each grating segment converts radiation of a different wavelength.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2009Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.Inventors: Daniel Creeden, Peter A. Budni, Peter A. Ketteridge
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Patent number: 8630323Abstract: Apparatus and method for control of lasers (which use an array of optical gain fibers) in order to improve spectrally beam-combined (SBC) laser beam quality along the plane of the SBC fiber array via spectral-to-spatial mapping of a portion of the spectrally beam-combined laser beams, detection of optical power in each of the spatially dispersed beams and feedback control of the lasers for wavelength-drift correction. The apparatus includes a diffractive element; a source of a plurality of substantially monochromatic light beams directed from different angles to a single location on the diffractive element, wherein the diffractive element spectrally combines the plurality of light beams into a single beam. A controller adjusts characteristics of the light beams if one of the light beams has become misadjusted. In some embodiments, the controller adjusts the wavelength tuning of the respective fiber laser.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2013Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Eric C. Honea, Donald R. Jander, Pratheepan Madasamy, Tolga Yilmaz
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Patent number: 8624269Abstract: A radiation-emitting thin film semiconductor chip is herein described which comprises a first region with a first active zone, a second region, separated laterally from the first region by a space, with a second active zone which extends parallel to the first active zone in a different plane, and a compensating layer, which is located in the second region at the level of the first active zone, the compensating layer not containing any semiconductor material.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2009Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: OSRAM Opto Semiconductors GmbHInventor: Ralph Wirth
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Patent number: 8588262Abstract: An apparatus comprises a laser system and a light sensor system. The laser system is associated with a housing and configured to generate a first laser beam and direct the first laser beam toward a surface of an object in which the surface has a plurality of quantum dots. The first laser beam is configured to cause the plurality of quantum dots to generate light. The laser system is further configured to generate a second laser beam and direct the second laser beam toward the light generated by the plurality of quantum dots. The second laser beam is configured to amplify a portion of the light generated by the plurality of quantum dots. The light sensor system is associated with the housing and configured to detect the portion of the light to form data.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2011Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Morteza Safai
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Patent number: 8573785Abstract: Optical systems operable to emit an output beam having fast-switched wavelengths are provided. In one embodiment, an optical system includes a laser and a wavelength conversion device. The laser emits a pump beam that switches between at least two fundamental spectral peaks at different wavelengths at a wavelength cycling period that is shorter than a response time of the human eye. The wavelength conversion device includes a non-linear optical medium configured to phase match the frequency doubling of the at least two switched fundamental spectral peaks such that an output beam that switches between at least two frequency-converted spectral peaks at different converted-wavelengths is emitted from an output facet of the wavelength conversion device when the pump beam of the optical source is incident on an input facet of the wavelength conversion device.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2010Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Corning IncorporatedInventors: Dmitri Vladislavovich Kuksenkov, Shenping Li, Dragan Pikula, Rostislav Vatchev Roussev
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Patent number: 8571084Abstract: The present invention is directed to a semiconductor laser device comprising a first resonator section for resonating an optical resonator signal for providing an optical output signal at an output of said laser device, wherein said first resonator section is arranged for selectively resonating at a plurality of discrete output wavelengths, and wherein said laser device further comprises a second resonator section operatively connected to said first resonator section, said second resonator section being arranged for providing an optical feedback signal at a feedback wavelength to said first resonator section for locking said first resonator section into resonating at a selected output wavelength of said discrete output wavelengths, which selected output wavelength corresponds to said feedback wavelength for providing said optical output signal.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2008Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Technische Universiteit EindhovenInventors: Boudewijn Docter, Stefano Beri, Meint Koert Smit, Fouad Karouta, Xaverius Jacques Maria Leijtens
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Patent number: 8554035Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for producing optical pulses of a desired wavelength. The apparatus includes an optical pulse source operable to generate input optical pulses at a first wavelength. The apparatus further includes a higher-order-mode (HOM) fiber module operable to receive the input optical pulses at the first wavelength, and thereafter to produce output optical pulses at the desired wavelength by soliton self-frequency shift (SSFS). The present invention also relates to a method of producing optical pulses having a desired wavelength. This method includes generating input optical pulses using an optical pulse source, where the input optical pulses have a first wavelength and a first spatial mode.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2007Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Cornell Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Chris Xu, James Van Howe, Jennifer Lee
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Patent number: 8520707Abstract: The aberration takes place according to the height of the image because the laser light tilts from the optical axis when it enters to the object lens in the optical pickup device which is equipped with a laser diode for BD and the monolithic laser diode capable of irradiating laser lights with two different wavelengths for DVD and CD as one package to read the signal by single object lens and single optical system. This is because the light sources of the three lights with different wavelengths are away from each other in the optical pickup device. The emission point of the laser diode for BD is formed at the location shifted from the center of the chip. The laser diode for BD is disposed adjacent to the monolithic laser diode capable of irradiating laser lights with two wavelengths for DVD and CD to make the emission point closer to the monolithic laser diode. The sizes of these two laser diodes is minimized by employing half dicing during the cleavage processing for separating the chips.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2011Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignees: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd., SANYO Optec Design Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masahito Ogata, Yoshio Noishiki
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Publication number: 20130215916Abstract: A laser apparatus includes a master oscillator capable of outputting a laser beam having a spectrum that includes at least three wavelength peaks, a multi-wavelength oscillation control mechanism capable of controlling energy of each of the wavelength peaks, a spectrum detecting unit that detects the spectrum of the above-mentioned laser beam, and a controller that controls the multi-wavelength oscillation control mechanism based on a detection result detected by the spectrum detecting unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2012Publication date: August 22, 2013Applicant: Gigaphoton Inc.Inventors: Kouji KAKIZAKI, Shinji OKAZAKI, Osamu WAKABAYASHI, Takashi ONOSE, Shinichi MATSUMOTO
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Patent number: 8488638Abstract: A compact solid state laser that generates multiple wavelengths and multiple beams that are parallel, i.e., bore-sighted relative to each other, is disclosed. Each of the multiple laser beams can be at a different wavelength, pulse energy, pulse length, repetition rate and average power. Each of the laser beams can be turned on or off independently. The laser is comprised of an optically segmented gain section, common laser resonator with common surface segmented cavity mirrors, optically segmented pump laser, and different intra-cavity elements in each laser segment.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2013Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventor: Lew Goldberg
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Patent number: 8488637Abstract: A semiconductor laser includes a light emission end facet; a first optical waveguide extending in a predetermined optical-axis direction, the first optical waveguide being optically coupled to the light emission end facet; a ring resonator having a plurality of periodic transmittance peak wavelengths, the ring resonator being optically coupled to the first optical waveguide; a plurality of gain waveguides that generate light by injection of current; an optical coupler portion that optically couples the first optical waveguide to each of the plurality of gain waveguides; and a plurality of second optical waveguides including diffraction gratings, the plurality of second optical waveguides being respectively optically coupled to the plurality of gain waveguides. Also, each of the diffraction gratings in the plurality of second optical waveguides has a different reflection band.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2011Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd.Inventor: Chie Fukuda
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Patent number: 8463088Abstract: The multi-channel optical device includes multiple laser cavities that each reflects a different light channel back and forth between reflective components. One of the reflective components is common to all of the laser cavities in that the common reflective component receives the channels from each of the laser cavities and reflects the received channels. The laser cavities also share a multiplexer that receives the channels reflected by the common reflective device and demultiplexes the channels into demultiplexed channels. A portion of the reflective components are partial return devices that each receives one of the demultiplexed channels. Each of the partial return devices transmits a portion of the demultiplexed channel received by that partial return device. The transmitted portion of the demultiplexed channel exits the laser cavity. Additionally, each of the partial return devices reflects a portion of the demultiplexed channel receive by that partial return device.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2011Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: Kotura, Inc.Inventors: Mehdi Asghari, Dazeng Feng
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Patent number: 8441718Abstract: Fiber-laser light is Raman shifted to eye-safer wavelengths prior to spectral beam combination, enabling a high-power, eye-safer wavelength directed-energy (DE) system. The output of Ytterbium fiber lasers is not used directly for spectral beam combining. Rather, the power from the Yb fiber lasers is Raman-shifted to longer wavelengths, and these wavelengths are then spectrally beam combined. Raman shifting is most readily accomplished with a “cascaded Raman converter,” in which a series of nested fiber cavities is formed using fiber Bragg gratings.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2009Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventor: Roy D. Mead
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Patent number: 8416819Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and to a device (1) by which a train (2, 2) of short laser pulses of a mode-coupled laser (3) is compensated with respect to the carrier envelope offset frequency of the individual lines contained in the associated frequency comb. The aim of the disclosure is to determine the carrier envelope offset frequency and to utilize said frequency to operate an acousto-optical frequency shifter (13). In said shifter, the uncompensated train of temporally equidistantly short laser pulses is diffracted in a first order such that the individual lines of the frequency comb are shifted by the carrier envelope offset frequency. The resulting compensated train of short laser pulses has a frequency comb, the individual lines of which are integral multiples of the repetition frequency of the individual light pulses in the train of short laser pulses.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2009Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: Femtolasers Produktions GmbHInventors: Christian Grebing, Sebastian Koke, Günter Steinmeyer
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Patent number: 8411712Abstract: Apparatus and method for control of lasers (which use an array of optical gain fibers) in order to improve spectrally beam-combined (SBC) laser beam quality along the plane of the SBC fiber array via spectral-to-spatial mapping of a portion of the spectrally beam-combined laser beams, detection of optical power in each of the spatially dispersed beams and feedback control of the lasers for wavelength-drift correction. The apparatus includes a diffractive element; a source of a plurality of substantially monochromatic light beams directed from different angles to a single location on the diffractive element, wherein the diffractive element spectrally combines the plurality of light beams into a single beam. A controller adjusts characteristics of the light beams if one of the light beams has become misadjusted. In some embodiments, the controller adjusts the wavelength tuning of the respective fiber laser.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2011Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Eric C. Honea, Donald R. Jander, Pratheepan Madasamy, Tolga Yilmaz
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Patent number: 8401044Abstract: [Task] To provide a semiconductor light emitting element capable of emitting light beams with wavelengths in a plurality of wavelength ranges with a high optical output, a driving method of a semiconductor light emitting element capable of making a semiconductor light emitting element that can emit light beams with wavelengths in a plurality of wavelength ranges operate with a high optical output, a light emitting device, and a small and high-performance optical pulse tester using the light emitting device. [Means for Resolution] In a driving method of a semiconductor light emitting element with a configuration in which an active layer 13a with a gain wavelength ?1 of about 1.55 ?m and an active layer 13b with a gain wavelength ?2 of about 1.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2011Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Anritsu CorporationInventors: Shintaro Morimoto, Hiroshi Mori, Yasuaki Nagashima
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Patent number: 8385382Abstract: A compact solid state laser that generates multiple wavelengths and multiple beams that are parallel, i.e., bore-sighted relative to each other, is disclosed. Each of the multiple laser beams can be at a different wavelength, pulse energy, pulse length, repetition rate and average power. Each of the laser beams can be turned on or off independently. The laser is comprised of an optically segmented gain section, common laser resonator with common surface segmented cavity mirrors, optically segmented pump laser, and different intra-cavity elements in each laser segment.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2011Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventor: Lew Goldberg
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Publication number: 20130010820Abstract: An architecture comprising laser sub-modules may be used to reach the optical output powers desired for projection display for 2D and 3D viewing. Monitoring and control of the laser sub-modules within the architecture may be performed to achieve desired performance metrics.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2012Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: REALD INC.Inventor: Kevin Curtis
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Patent number: 8320418Abstract: Optical systems operable to emit multiple frequency-converted spectral peaks are provided. In one embodiment, an optical system includes an optical source and a wavelength conversion device. The optical source may include a laser configured to emit a pump beam having at least two fundamental spectral peaks. The wavelength conversion device may include a non-linear optical medium configured to phase match the second harmonic generation of each of the at least two fundamental spectral peaks and sum-frequency generation of the at least two fundamental spectral peaks such that an output beam comprising at least three frequency-converted spectral peaks having approximately equal power is emitted from an output facet of the wavelength conversion device when the pump beam of the optical source is incident on an input facet of the wavelength conversion device.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2010Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Corning IncorporatedInventors: Dmitri Vladislavovich Kuksenkov, Shenping Li, Rostislav Vatchev Roussev
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Patent number: 8295315Abstract: The present invention concerns tunable distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) semiconductor lasers, in particular a DBR laser with a branched optical waveguide 5 within which a plurality of differently shaped lasing cavities may be formed, and a method of operation of such a laser. The laser may comprise a phase control section (418), gain section (420, 422), a sampled grating DBR (412) giving a comb-line spectrum and two tunable, chirped DBRs (414, 416) for broadband frequency training and a coupling section (410).Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2008Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Oclaro Technology LimitedInventors: Andrew John Ward, Robert Walker, David James Robbins, Douglas Charles John Reid, Guy Towlson
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Patent number: 8290317Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing optical pulses of a desired wavelength utilizes a section of higher-order-mode (HOM) fiber to receive input optical pulses at a first wavelength, and thereafter produce output optical pulses at the desired wavelength through soliton self-frequency shifting (SSFS) or Cherenkov radiation. The HOM fiber is configured to exhibit a large positive dispersion and effective area at wavelengths less than 1300 nm.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2011Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: OFS Fitel, LLCInventor: Siddharth Ramachandran
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Patent number: 8275008Abstract: A semiconductor laser apparatus is provided which can vary an output wavelength of a light source. A semiconductor laser diode and one or more heat source devices arranged around the semiconductor laser diode are integrated on one substrate. The semiconductor laser diode is configured to be uniformly heated by the heat source device. An output wavelength of the semiconductor laser diode can be easily and quickly varied.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2008Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research InstituteInventors: Hyun Sung Ko, Chul Huh, Kyung Hyun Kim, Jong Cheol Hong, Wan Joong Kim, Gun Yong Sung, Seon Hee Park
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Patent number: 8233508Abstract: An optical nose for detecting the presence of molecular contaminants in gaseous samples utilizes a tunable seed laser output in conjunction with a pulsed reference laser output to generate a mid-range IR laser output in the 2 to 20 micrometer range for use as a discriminating light source in a photo-acoustic gas analyzer.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2009Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignee: The UAB Research FoundationInventors: Sergey B. Mirov, Vladimir V. Fedorov, Igor Moskalev
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Patent number: 8228960Abstract: The present invention provides a laser device having a high wavelength conversion efficiency and a wide wavelength width, and is suitable as a display light source. The laser device includes a fundamental wave generating section including a laser diode which has a plurality of luminous points and a bragg reflection structure, and generating a plurality of fundamental waves which has at least a pair of wavelengths different from each other, and a nonlinear optical element having a periodic polarization inversion structure, and generating harmonics corresponding to the plurality of fundamental waves, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2009Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Akio Furukawa, Kaoru Kimura
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Patent number: 8226241Abstract: An image projector having one or more broadband lasers designed to reduce the appearance of speckle in the projected image via wavelength diversification. In one embodiment, a broadband laser has an active optical element and a nonlinear optical element, both located inside a laser cavity. The broadband laser generates an output spectrum characterized by a spectral spread of about 10 nm and having a plurality of spectral lines corresponding to different spatial modes of the cavity. Different individual spectral lines effectively produce independent speckle configurations, which become intensity-superimposed in the projected image, thereby causing a corresponding speckle-contrast reduction.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2009Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Alcatel LucentInventors: Gang Chen, Roland Ryf
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Patent number: 8218587Abstract: Embodiments are directed to systems and methods for adjusting a wavelength, bandwidth or both. Such systems and methods may be applicable to laser beams within a laser cavity or amplifier. For some embodiments, such systems and methods may be used to allow a user to set a desired wavelength and bandwidth of a short pulse laser system for operation at those parameters without further adjustment by the user.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2010Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Newport CorporationInventors: Ventzislav Stoev, Kevin Holsinger, David S. Bell, Olaf Korth
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Patent number: 8204090Abstract: Modular electrical, mechanical and optical components allow for the building of a laser combiner system that can be used, for example, for biological research that allows different lasers to be easily added to or removed from a laser system. Each individual laser can be packaged into a module which can be added to or taken away from the laser system with relative ease. Each of the modules can be controlled via a control module that allows one or more of varying of power levels, switching on/off, shutter control and diagnostic/status information monitoring.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2010Date of Patent: June 19, 2012Assignee: Intelligent Imaging Innovations, Inc.Inventor: Glen Ivan Redford
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Publication number: 20120113997Abstract: A medical device includes an insertable portion capable of being inserted into an orifice associated with a body of a patient. The insertable portion comprising an automated head unit capable of being manipulated in at least two axes of motion based at least in part on one or more control signals. The medical device further includes one or more controllers coupled to the automated head unit. In one particular embodiment, the one or more controllers generate the one or more control signals based at least in part on an input signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2012Publication date: May 10, 2012Applicant: CHEETAH OMNI, LLCInventor: Mohammed N. Islam
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Patent number: 8126025Abstract: A laser light source apparatus includes a first laser array light source that emits first-wavelength light, and a second laser array light source that emits second-wavelength light, the second wavelength being different from the first wavelength. The first laser array light source includes a first fundamental wave laser array that produces first fundamental wave light having a first original wavelength, and a first wavelength conversion element that wavelength-converts the first fundamental wave light into the first-wavelength light. The second laser array light source includes a second fundamental wave laser array that produces second fundamental wave light having a second original wavelength different from the first original wavelength, and a second wavelength conversion element that wavelength-converts the second fundamental wave light into the second-wavelength light.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2008Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Takashi Takeda
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Patent number: 8126299Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing optical pulses of a desired wavelength utilizes a section of higher-order-mode (HOM) fiber to receive input optical pulses at a first wavelength, and thereafter produce output optical pulses at the desired wavelength through soliton self-frequency shifting (SSFS) or Cherenkov radiation. The HOM fiber is configured to exhibit a large positive dispersion and effective area at wavelengths less than 1300 nm.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2008Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: OFS Fitel, LLCInventor: Slddharth Ramachandran