Abstract: A laser frequency stabilizing device comprises a laser light producer operative to produce and emit a laser light containing a first and a second longitudinal mode light having different wavelengths; a spectrometer operative to spectrally decompose the laser light into the first longitudinal mode light and the second longitudinal mode light; a first detector operative to detect the light output signal from a absorption cell; a second and third detector operative to detect the signal intensity of the first and second longitudinal mode light; an actuator operative to change the resonant cavity length; a first drive controller operative to detect the saturated absorption signal from the light output signal detected at the first detector and control driving the actuator based on the saturated absorption signal; a second drive controller operative to control driving the actuator such that the signal intensity of the first longitudinal mode light detected at the second detector and the signal intensity of the secon

Abstract: The present invention comprises: a laser light source 101 operable to output a laser light; an optical component 114 operable to couple, to an optical fiber 126, the laser light outputted from the laser light source 101; an actuator 118 operable to hold the optical component 114; a photoreceiver 503 operable to monitor the laser light outputted from the optical fiber; and a control device 117 operable to drive the actuator 118 in accordance with a result of the monitoring by the photoreceiver 503, thereby controlling a position of the optical component 114.

Abstract: A method of operating a laser projection system is provided. The projection system comprises an external cavity laser, an optical intensity monitor, laser projection optics, and a controller. The external cavity laser comprises a laser diode, an intra-cavity wavelength conversion device, and a wavelength selective element. According to the method, the position of the wavelength selective element is adjusted relative to an optical axis Z of the external cavity laser to optimize output intensity. Specifically, the position of the wavelength selective element is adjusted by (i) tilting the wavelength selective element about its wavelength selective axis Y to reflect a wavelength of interest along an optimum path in an XZ plane of the external laser cavity and (ii) tipping the wavelength selective element about its wavelength insensitive axis X to reflect the wavelength of interest along an optimum path in a YZ plane of the external laser cavity. Additional embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an extended cavity semiconductor laser device comprising an array of at least two semiconductor gain elements (20, 21), each of said semiconductor gain elements (20, 21) comprising a layer structure (1) forming a first end mirror (2) and an active medium (3). A coupling component (22) inside of the device combines fundamental laser radiation emitted by said array of semiconductor gain elements (20, 21) to a single combined laser beam (25). A second end mirror (23) reflects at least part of said single combined laser beam (23) back to said coupling component (22) to form extended cavities with the first end mirrors (2). Due to this coherent coupling of several extended cavity semiconductor lasers a single beam of the fundamental radiation is generated with increased intensity, good beam profile and narrow spectral band width.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to semiconductor lasers and laser projection systems. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method of correcting output power variations in a semiconductor laser is provided. According to the method, an output power feedback loop is utilized to generate optical intensity feedback signals representing actual output power of the laser source for discrete portions V1, Vi, . . . Vj of the image signal. Error signals E1, Ei, . . . Ej are generated representing the degree to which actual projected output power varies from a target projected output power for the discrete portions V1, Vi, . . . Vj of the image signal. These error signals E1, Ei, . . . Ej are utilized to apply corrected control signals G1?, Gi?, . . . Gj? to the gain section of the semiconductor laser for projection of compatible discrete portions V1?, Vi?, . . . Vj? of the image signal.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Methods of controlling semiconductor lasers are provided where the semiconductor laser generates a wavelength-modulated output beam ?MOD that is directed towards the input face of a wavelength conversion device. The intensity of a wavelength-converted output ?CONV of the device is monitored as the output beam of the laser is modulated and as the position of the modulated output beam ?MOD on the input face of the wavelength conversion device is varied. A maximum value of the monitored intensity is correlated with optimum coordinates representing the position of the modulated output beam ?MOD on the input face of the wavelength conversion device. The optical package is operated in the data projection mode by directing an intensity-modulated laser beam from the semiconductor laser to the wavelength conversion device using the optimum positional coordinates. Additional embodiments are disclosed and claimed. Laser controllers and projections systems are also provided.

Abstract: A laser apparatus includes: a laser light source; an output member for receiving and transmitting a laser light flux generated by the laser light flux, and outputting a laser light flux; an optical aligning member for positioning the laser light flux generated by the laser light source to the output member; a drive for driving the optical aligning member; a drive controller; an output detector for outputting a detected output representing an intensity of a laser light flux outputted from the output member; and an output controller. The drive controller controls the drive to drive the optical aligning member and the output controller changes a power of the laser light flux generated by the light source, based on the detected output.

Abstract: A pattern generator 2 produces a predetermined pattern signal 11 which is an electric signal, and a LD output light 12 of light signal is produced by inputting the pattern signal 11 to a plurality of semiconductor lasers (LD) 3 as a pump light source. To make a output light 14 to be a pulsed light not following a surge pulse rectangular, a fiber laser modulator 1 is configured that the pattern signal 11 generated by a pattern generator 2 includes four phases power level: low powered phase, power rising phase, high power phase and power decreasing phase.

Abstract: A laser control system contains an oscillator gas chamber and an amplifier gas chamber. A first voltage input is operatively connected to deliver electrical pulses to a first pair of electrodes within the oscillator gas chamber and a second pair of electrodes within the amplifier gas chamber. An output of the gas chambers is an energy dose calculated by a trapezoidal window. A control circuit connects to the first voltage input for modifying the first voltage input. A feedback control loop communicates an output of the gas chambers to the control circuit for modifying the first voltage input.

Abstract: Apparatus for attenuating an unpolarized laser beam includes a polarizing beamsplitter for separating the laser beam into two plane-polarized beams following separate paths. The two plane-polarized beams are polarization rotated by a single polarization rotator. Each of the polarization-rotated beams is separated by a polarizing beam-combiner into two plane-polarized portions. One of the portions of one polarization-rotated beam is combined by the beam-combiner with one of the portions of the other polarization-rotated beam to provide an attenuated output-beam. In certain examples of the apparatus the separate paths are made equal in length so that combined beam portions are equal in diameter.

Abstract: Methods and devices for a coupled optoelectronic oscillator having optical frequency stabilization. The coupled optoelectronic oscillator includes a harmonically mode-locked laser cavity having a Mach-Zehnder modulator for mode-locking and an intracavity Fabry-Perot etalon to allow only one single supermode to lase, a stabilization loop coupled with the Fabry-Perot etalon to detect changes in the laser cavity optical frequency and generate an error signal to compensate for the frequency change to stabilize the mode-locking of the laser frequency stabilization, and an electrical loop between the laser cavity and the stabilization loop for driving the Mach-Zehnder modulator with the coupled optoelectronic oscillator signal.

Abstract: Laser marking system and method are provided. A laser source is configured to supply a laser beam having a first optical intensity level and a respective beam cross-section. A spatial light modulator (SLM) is optically coupled to the laser source to receive the laser beam. The SLM is controlled to generate an output laser beam with an optical pattern containing a data code matrix across the beam cross-section. An optical amplifier is coupled to the SLM to receive the laser beam from the SLM and generate an amplified laser beam containing the same data code matrix as generated by the SLM. The amplified laser beam has a second optical intensity level higher relative to the first intensity level and is selectable to either ablatively or non-ablatively mark a target object with the data code matrix.

Abstract: A drive signal for driving a semiconductor laser is generated on the basis of an image signal inputted in synchronism with a pixel clock. A bias signal to the semiconductor laser is generated at a timing earlier than the drive signal by a predetermined time. The bias signal is disabled in synchronism with the leading edge of the drive signal.

Abstract: An optical signal is produced from a direct modulation resonant cavity device, such as directly-modulated diode laser having an electrode divided into multiple sections. Each section is driven with an electrical waveform such that a time delay is introduced between sections so as to ensure that the different sections reach their peaks at slightly different times.

Abstract: A surface emitting semiconductor laser device, having at least one monolithically integrated pump radiation source (20), in which the pump radiation source (20) has at least one edge emitting semiconductor structure (9) that is suitable for emission of electromagnetic radiation whose intensity profile transversely with respect to the emission direction (z) of the semiconductor structure follows a predeterminable curve. Such a surface emitting semiconductor laser device emits electromagnetic radiation having a particularly good beam quality.

Abstract: After forming domain inverted layers 3 in an LiTaO3 substrate 1, an optical waveguide is formed. By performing low-temperature annealing for the optical wavelength conversion element thus formed, a stable proton exchange layer 8 is formed, where an increase in refractive index generated during high-temperature annealing is lowered, thereby providing a stable optical wavelength conversion element. Thus, the phase-matched wavelength becomes constant, and variation in harmonic wave output is eliminated. Consequently, with respect to an optical wavelength conversion element utilizing a non-linear optical effect, a highly reliable element is provided.

Abstract: To prevent the property of an optical filter from being changed even if there is a change in a gap of directional couplers generated due to variations in manufacturing conditions so as to improve the yield. A tunable laser device includes a PLC and an SOA. The PLC includes: optical waveguides; an optical filter; a loop mirror; thin-film heaters; and asymmetrical MZIs. Optical coupling parts within the PLC are formed with the asymmetrical MZIs, so that there is no change generated in the property of the optical filter even if there is a change generated in a gap of the directional couplers due to variations in the manufacturing conditions. Therefore, the yield can be improved.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for optic signal power control to maintain a desired or optimum optic signal power level. During start-up, a default or target value from memory may be utilized to bias or otherwise control operation of an optic signal generator or driver. During operation, one or more parameters or aspects of the optic module or the environment may be monitored. In response to the monitoring one or more control signal may be generated to created to modify bias level, modulation level, or both. The monitoring may monitor the optic signal itself. The bias level and modulation level may be changed simultaneously.

Abstract: Fiber lasers and methods for constructing and using fiber lasers for micro-/nano-machining with output beams including stacked pulses and combinations of continuous wave, pseudo-continuous wave and pulse sequence components.

Abstract: In a laser forming apparatus, a first optical system and a second optical system are provided symmetrically with respect to a vertical plane to a center line of a head suspension targeted for spring pressure adjustment. A half mirror branches laser light emitted from one laser oscillator into two to guide the branched light beams to the two optical systems. The head suspension is structured such that optical spots formed by the first and second optical systems condensing laser light are positioned at the same distance from the center line of the head suspension. Condenser lenses of the first and second optical systems are arranged on right and left sides in a plane-symmetrical form to scan the optical sports to thereby adjust a spring pressure of a head suspension.

Abstract: A driving method for laser light source device includes: providing a laser light source device including a laser light source, a wavelength conversion element converting the wavelength of the light emitted from the laser light source, and a resonator mirror constituting a resonator structure between the laser light source and the resonator mirror; and driving the laser light source so as to cause the amount of light to decrease depending on the passage of time, compared with the amount of light by the initial driving of the laser light source.

Abstract: A laser system 1 comprises six solid state diode laser modules 37.1 to 37.6 whose output beams are directly coupled into beam steering devices 38.1 to 38.6 and thereby routed to laser combining dichroic mirrors 39.1 to 39.6, which combine the individual laser beams into a single, co-aligned beam. The combined laser beam is directed into an optical fiber 41.1 for delivery to a target optical instrument such as a microscope. The output beam from delivery optical fiber 41.1 is coupled to the target instrument via fiber output collimating optics 42.1. The output of each of the diode lasers 37.1 to 37.6 is controlled by direct modulation of the lasers' control (drive) currents.

Abstract: Control modules for automatically adjusting a laser output based on a range to an object detected within a field of view are disclosed.

Abstract: A laser diode driver for driving laser light sources of a N-wavelength optical pickup capable of recording on and playing N types of optical discs by using N laser beams having different wavelengths, the N-wavelength optical pickup including first to N-th laser diodes for emitting first to N-th laser beams as the laser light sources and one front monitor for monitoring intensity of the first to N-th laser beams, the laser diode driver comprising a current/voltage conversion amplifier for converting a monitor current monitored by the front monitor into a monitor voltage and outputting the monitor voltage as a monitor output signal, wherein N is an integer which is two or more.

Abstract: The invention discloses an optical transmission module with digital adjustment and method thereof. The module includes a laser (21), a laser driver (22), an automatic power adjustment circuit (23), an automatic temperature adjustment circuit (24), a digital adjustment circuit (25) and a memory (26). The digital adjustment circuit, consisted of a digital-to-analog converter or a digital adjustment potentiometer, receives a digital adjustment signal and outputs, respectively, a extinction ratio adjustment signal and a cross point adjustment signal to the laser driver, an optical power adjustment signal to the automatic power adjustment circuit and an optical wavelength adjustment signal to the automatic temperature adjustment circuit. The memory stores data, using for on-line adjustment of the optical transmission module, at least including parameters of said optical transmission module and said laser emitting optical power parameters, to be reported upward.

Abstract: In a laser power control apparatus for controlling a laser power of a combination drive, first laser light Lc applied onto a first optical disk and second laser light Ld applied onto a second optical disk is collected by one photodetector 8.

Abstract: Methods of controlling semiconductor lasers are provided where the semiconductor laser generates an output beam that is directed towards the input face of a wavelength conversion device. Particular aspects of the present invention relate to alignment and/or intentional misalignment of a beam spot of an output beam on an input face of a wavelength conversion device. Additional embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: A method for controlling laser power of an optical disk drive is provided. Firstly, a power-controlling curve of a first loop circuit is formed according to a real test. Next, two test points are selected from the power-controlling curve. Then, the voltage outputted from a second loop circuit is adjusted. After that, whether the generated internal power signal is equal to the internal power signal of the two test points is checked. Afterwards, the voltage outputted from the second loop circuit is recorded. Then, the gain of the two loop circuits under the same change of the internal power signal is calculated. Lastly, a gained power-controlling curve of the first loop circuit is used as a power-controlling curve of the second loop circuit, such that the power-controlling curve is quickly obtained.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention can include a laser light output control apparatus having a plurality of laser light output control systems including a laser light source capable of receiving supplying of current via a power supplying path from a power source and irradiating laser light, a photo-detecting device capable of receiving the light irradiated from the laser light source and outputting a monitor current dependent on the amount of light received, a conversion circuit capable of converting the monitor current into a voltage value, a control circuit capable of controlling the current supplied to the laser light source based on the voltage value outputted from the conversion circuit so that the intensity of laser light irradiated from the laser light source changes to a predetermined value, the respective conversion circuits of each said output control system have a fixed resistor and a variable resistor connected in series to each other, and at least one of the fixed resistors of each said pluralit

Abstract: Both a system and method are provided for modulating the intensity of an output beam generated by semiconductor laser. The exemplary system includes a source of pulsating current connected to the laser that generates a pulsating beam of laser light, an external modulator having an input that receives the pulsating beam, and an output controlled by pulsating control signal, wherein the output beam transmitted by the external modulator output is modulated by changing a relative phase angle between the pulsating current powering the laser, and the control signal of the external modulator over time. The external modulator may be an intensity-type modulator whose output is controlled by a gate signal having a constant phase, and the source of pulsating current powering the laser may be variable phase in order to modulate the output beam with an external modulator having a simple structure.

Abstract: The present invention comprises: a laser light source 101 operable to output a laser light; an optical component 114 operable to couple, to an optical fiber 126, the laser light outputted from the laser light source 101; an actuator 118 operable to hold the optical component 114; a photoreceiver 503 operable to monitor the laser light outputted from the optical fiber; and a control device 117 operable to drive the actuator 118 in accordance with a result of the monitoring by the photoreceiver 503, thereby controlling a position of the optical component 114.

Abstract: Methods of controlling semiconductor lasers are provided where the semiconductor laser generates an output beam that is directed towards the input face of a wavelength conversion device. Particular aspects of the present invention relate to alignment and/or intentional misalignment of a beam spot of an output beam on an input face of a wavelength conversion device. Additional embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: A control method for a laser diode is conducted such that optical output and OMA (optical modulation amplitude) or extinction ratio of the laser diode are controlled while modulating the optical output of the laser diode by applying a bias current and a modulation current to the laser diode. The method has: a first step of measuring the optical output of the laser diode; a second step of measuring a slope efficiency or a corresponding value of the slope efficiency while conducting APC (automatic power control) to adjust the bias current such that the optical output coincides with a predetermined value; and a third step of adjusting the modulation current by AAC (automatic amplitude control) according to the slope efficiency or the corresponding value of the slope efficiency such that the OMA or extinction ratio coincides with a predetermined value.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for modifying the spread of a laser beam. The apparatus comprises a laser source operable to generate a laser beam having a flux that exceeds a predetermined value and an optical train operable to modify the beam such that the flux of the beam through a predetermined aperture does not exceed the predetermined value. The optical train may include a focusing lens, a diffractive focusing vortex lens, a beam splitting device, or a two-dimensional diffraction grating.

Abstract: A laser apparatus comprises a laser generating unit, and an intensity pattern regulating unit including a pair of blocking parts and a pair of semi-through parts, wherein the pair of semi-through parts are placed between the pair of blocking parts and adjust an intensity of an incident laser beam.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, an external cavity laser includes one or more tuning elements. At least one modulated voltage signal or dither is used to lock the transmission peak of the two tuning elements to each other. The wavelength of the laser also may lock onto the lock transmission peaks. In embodiments in which two dither signals are used, the dither signals may be orthogonal to or independent of each other. The two dither signals may produce two control signals to align the transmission peak of one filter to the transmission peak of another filter and the lasing mode of the laser to the aligned filters.

Abstract: A laser power control unit used for controlling the laser power of an optical pick-up unit (OPU) is provided. The laser power control unit includes: at least one analog-to-digital converter (ADC) electrically coupled to the OPU for transferring a front photodiode output signal into a digital feedback signal; and at least one digital control circuit electrically coupled to the ADC for generating a power control signal and outputting the power control signal to the OPU in order to control the laser power of the OPU. The digital control circuit has a compensation circuit used for generating a compensation value according to a difference between the digital feedback signal and a digital target feedback signal so as to adjust the power control signal. The front photodiode output signal corresponds to the laser power of the OPU.

Abstract: Provided are a small-sized, low-cost, and easy-to-use laser optical path length difference detecting device, a laser optical path length difference detecting device, and a coherent optical coupling device. The laser optical path length difference detecting device detects an optical path length difference between propagation paths of a first laser beam (1) and a second laser beam (2), which are mutually coherent when the beams are propagated through two arbitrary optical paths of a plurality of laser beam optical paths.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for providing phase modulated current to a semiconductor laser to control beam wavelength. A first current is received into a gain portion of the semiconductor laser and a second current is received into a DBR portion of the semiconductor laser. The second current is phase modulated based upon a required intensity value. An output beam is generated by the semiconductor laser based upon the received first current and the received second current.

Abstract: A laser apparatus includes: a laser light source; an output member for receiving and transmitting a laser light flux generated by the laser light flux, and outputting a laser light flux; an optical aligning member for positioning the laser light flux generated by the laser light source to the output member; a drive for driving the optical aligning member; a drive controller; an output detector for outputting a detected output representing an intensity of a laser light flux outputted from the output member; and an output controller. The drive controller controls the drive to drive the optical aligning member and the output controller changes a power of the laser light flux generated by the light source, based on the detected output.

Abstract: An automatic power control system provides a control signal that regulates the output power of at least one laser diode. Coarse adjustment of the control signal is provided by a first means, preferably a digital variable resistor, while fine adjustment and compensation is provided by a second means, preferably by a digital-to-analog converter that receives an input signal proportional to a sensed control system parameter. The control system includes an operational amplifier having a first input coupled to sense output power, and a second input coupled to a DAC to provide finer resolution control. Memory can store system parameter or system parameter variations that can be coupled to the DAC and/or variable resistor to enhance system stability over ambient variations.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for modifying the spread of a laser beam. The apparatus comprises a laser source operable to generate a laser beam having a flux that exceeds a predetermined value and an optical train operable to modify the beam such that the flux of the beam through a predetermined aperture does not exceed the predetermined value. The optical train may include a focusing lens, a diffractive focusing vortex lens, a beam splitting device, or a diffraction grating.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for providing a three-level current scheme to a semiconductor laser to control beam wavelength and laser temperature. A first current is received into a gain section of the semiconductor laser and at least one other current is received into a DBR and/or phase section of the semiconductor laser. This other current(s) is pulse-width modulated based upon a required temperature value. An output beam is generated by the semiconductor laser based upon the received first current and the received pulse-width modulated current(s).

Abstract: An optical amplifier including: a photonic gain clement; and, a transistor electromagnetically coupled to the gain element to inject current into the gain element responsively to the internal optical intensity of the gain element. The coupling of the transistor and the photonic gain element is such that as the optical intensity within the photonic gain element increases, the current injected by the transistor increases, thereby preventing filamentation in the photonic gain element.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is obtaining a semiconductor film with uniform characteristics by improving irradiation variations of the semiconductor film. The irradiation variations are generated due to scanning while irradiating with a linear laser beam of the pulse emission. At a laser crystallization step of irradiating a semiconductor film with a laser light, a continuous light emission excimer laser emission device is used as a laser light source. For example, in a method of fabricating an active matrix type liquid crystal display device, a continuous light emission excimer laser beam is irradiated to a semiconductor film, which is processed to be a linear shape, while scanning in a vertical direction to the linear direction. Therefore, more uniform crystallization can be performed because irradiation marks can be avoided by a conventional pulse laser.

Abstract: An infrared transmitter circuit causes an output current to flow to a light emission diode via a current mirror circuit constituted of three transistors by using a current supplied from a power source circuit, so that the light emission diode emits light. When a voltage V1 varied by charging a capacitor with a current flowing from the power source circuit exceeds a reference voltage (voltage V2), an output of a comparator resets a D flip-flop, so that an output of the D flip-flop varies to “0”. Thus, an output of a NAND gate to which that output and a transmission signal are inputted causes a transistor (N-channel FET) to turn ON so as to stop operation of the current mirror circuit, and causes a transistor (P-channel FET) to turn OFF so as to cut a connection between the power source circuit and a power source line. Thus, it is possible to reduce power consumption in operation of a protection circuit which stops supplying the output current to the light emission diode.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a laser irradiation apparatus and a laser irradiation method that increase energy intensity distribution in a region having low energy intensity distribution in an end region in a major-axis direction of laser light, in performing laser irradiation. In irradiating an irradiation surface with laser light, laser light oscillated from a laser oscillator is converged in one direction through an optical element. The laser light which passes through the optical element and which is converged in one direction passes through a means which shields an end region in a major-axis direction of the laser light. Accordingly, a region where energy intensity distribution is precipitously high in the end region in the major-axis direction of the laser light can be formed in the irradiation surface.