Abstract: The present invention provides a control system for a modular high repetition rate two discharge chamber ultraviolet gas discharge laser. In preferred embodiments, the laser is a production line machine with a master oscillator producing a very narrow band seed beam which is amplified in the second discharge chamber. Feedback timing control techniques are provided for controlling the relative timing of the discharges in the two chambers with an accuracy in the range of about 2 to 5 billionths of a second even in burst mode operation. This MOPA system is capable of output pulse energies approximately double the comparable single chamber laser system with greatly improved beam quality.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the phase of a tunable laser is provided. Stabilization of the mode of a laser beam is provided as the laser is tuned to a target frequency. For one embodiment, a laser generates a reference beam and an output beam. The power of each of beam is measured by optical detectors, and a ratio thereof is utilized to detect when a mode hop occurs as the laser is coarsely tuned. The average of the pre and post mode hop ratios is utilized as a control setpoint while finely tuning the laser to the target frequency. Wavelength lockers, optical power dividers and optical detectors are utilized to determine power levels of the reference and output beams while also monitoring frequency characteristics thereof. A control unit utilizes the outputs from the wavelength locker to control the operation of the extended cavity laser during and after tuning.

Abstract: A stack of parallel but laterally separated laser beams emitted from a pair of laterally separated laser diode bars are focused into a single vertical plane through the use of an interleaved array of stacked, angular glass plates. Successive plates oppositely refract laser beams from successive radiating levels of the stacks of laser bars so that beams emerging from the glass plates lie in the same vertical plane, thereby overcoming the lateral displacement among beams emerging from the laser bars.

Abstract: An excimer or molecular fluorine laser includes a discharge chamber filled with a gas mixture, multiple electrodes within the discharge chamber connected to a power supply circuit for energizing the gas mixture, and a resonator including the discharge chamber and a pair of resonator reflectors for generating an output laser beam. One of the resonator reflectors is an output coupling interferometer including a pair of opposing reflecting surfaces tuned to produce a reflectivity maximum at a selected wavelength for narrowing a linewidth of the output laser beam. One of the pair of opposing reflecting surfaces is configured such that the opposing reflecting surfaces of the interferometer have a varying optical distance therebetween over an incident beam cross-section which serves to suppress outer portions of the reflectivity maximum to reduce spectral purity.

Abstract: An energy stabilization method and system includes an energy detector and simulating optics before the detector for forming a diagnostic portion of an output beam to simulate the beam profile of the working beam incident at the workpiece. Preferably, the simulating optics before the detector are selected to be identical or similar to beam transforming optics that the working beam traverses after the diagnostic portion is split off from the working beam, but before the working beam reaches the workpiece. The diagnostic beam portion is thus formed to have an identical or similar beam profile as the working beam at the workpiece. Alternatively, instead of providing transforming optics along the diagnostic beam path that are the same or similar to those encountered by the working beam, a processor configures the data received at the detector to simulate the beam profile of the working beam at the workpiece, after it traverses the transforming optics described above.

Abstract: A laser driver including a current-output-controlling switch; output-current-generating transistor; current-to-voltage converting transistor; first and second current sources; and current path selector having an input terminal and first and second output terminals. Responsive to a control signal, the selector outputs current through one of these two output terminals. The output current of the second current source is supplied to the current path selector. The output current supplied from the current path selector through the second output terminal thereof and the output current of the first current source are input to the current-to-voltage converting transistor. The output voltage of the current-to-voltage converting transistor is applied between the gate and source of the output-current-generating transistor. Then, the current is output through the drain of the output-current-generating transistor and the current-output-controlling switch.

Abstract: A unique method and apparatus for locking on an absolute wavelength of laser light output by a laser package by actively compensating for a change in the temperature of an etalon optical filter is disclosed. Changes in etalon response characteristics due to temperature changes are compensated for by the addition (or subtraction) of an output voltage offset to the voltage control signal sent to the Thermo-Electric Cooler (TEC) from a controller within the laser package. The voltage offset is calculated by monitoring the etalon temperature. The voltage offset value provides for active compensation of changes in the etalon temperature and effectively “readjusts” the output of the laser as if the etalon temperature itself had been readjusted.

Abstract: In an optical transmission apparatus including an external optical modulator for modulating an optical carrier from a light source with an electrical signal, bias voltage applied to the external optical modulator is accurately adapted to fluctuations in optimal bias voltage due to DC drift. A bias voltage control circuit controls bias voltage applied by a bias voltage applier to an external optical modulator so as to minimize an amount of second order distortion included in an optical signal from the external optical modulator and caused by non-linearity thereof.

Abstract: A laser array system is described. The system includes a plurality of lasers, a switching mechanism, a wavelength locking mechanism, and a laser parameter feedback control. Each laser provides a collimated beam having certain wavelength and power. The beam has at least two parts, first part of the two parts used for stabilization of the wavelength and power. The switching mechanism is configured to receive and sequentially select the first part of the collimated beam from the plurality of lasers. The wavelength locking mechanism is configured to monitor and measure a drift of the wavelength and power of a selected laser. The laser parameter feedback control is configured to adjust laser parameters of the selected laser.

Abstract: A laser driver according to the present invention is adapted to keep the optical output power of a laser diode constant even if the temperature has changed or if the performance of the laser diode has deteriorated with time. The laser driver includes a photodiode, a current-to-voltage converter, a reference voltage generator, a transconductor, a holding capacitor and a drive current output circuit. The current-to-voltage converter converts an output current of the photodiode, which is provided to monitor the optical output of the laser diode, into a monitor voltage. The transconductor supplies an output current corresponding to a difference between the monitor voltage and a predetermined reference voltage. The drive current output circuit outputs a laser drive current corresponding to the voltage held by the holding capacitor, which is connected to the output terminal of the transconductor.

Abstract: An optical module includes a first level detecting part having a semi-transparent structure and receiving a light signal emitted from a light-emitting element, a second level detecting part receiving the light signal which penetrates through the first level detecting part and passes through an optical filter, and a control part controlling an operation temperature of the light-emitting element on the basis of electric signals output from the first and second level detecting parts.

Abstract: A laser modulating device is provided with a monitoring system that outputs a detection voltage signal corresponding to the output power, a minimum output level setting system that outputs a minimum level voltage signal, a modulating voltage signal generating system, a first adder that outputs a reference voltage signal corresponding to a sum of the minimum level voltage signal and the modulating voltage signal, a comparing system that outputs a driving voltage signal corresponding to a difference between the reference voltage signal and the detection voltage signal, a first V/I converting system that converts the driving voltage signal to a first driving current, the first driving current being supplied to the laser diode, a second V/I converting system, and a circuit that directly supplies the modulating voltage signal from the modulating voltage signal generating system to the second voltage to current converting system, the second voltage to current converting system converting the modulating voltage sign

Abstract: A laser driver for laser sensing system having two lasers on a single PCB, thermoelectric temperature control, rapid activation, and pulse power and duration safety tables embedded in the microprocessor controller.

Abstract: A circuit method for recognizing an interruption in a light waveguide link, wherein the amplified spontaneous emission output by an intensifying fiber is monitored for recognizing an interruption along a light waveguide link having an intensifying fiber and, given failure of the amplified spontaneous emission to arrive, the transmission unit supplying the light signals into the light waveguide link is shut off.

Abstract: A light source in which a signal light having a wavelength outside a normal tolerance is not supplied to the outside of the light source. A temperature control circuit controls an optical switch so that the signal light outputted from a laser diode (LD) module is not supplied to the outside unless a temperature of the LD comes to be within the normal tolerance. An LD-driving circuit supplies a current to the LD in the LD module, and controls a light power outputted from the LD.

Abstract: A laser power control device, optical head and optical recording and/or reproducing apparatus to set and control the output power of laser light radiated from a plurality of laser sources. The laser power control device is provided with plural variable resistors associated with the plural laser sources, a photodetector unit associated with the plural laser sources, and a laser output stabilizing unit for controlling the laser light output power at a constant predetermined level. The resistance values of the variable resistors are set so that the output power of the laser light radiated from the laser sources is at the predetermined level.

Abstract: An in-line pre-compensation circuit distorts an electronic information signal prior to using the signal to modulate a laser beam in order to compensate for distortions resulting from transmitting the resulting optical signal through an optical fiber. The pre-compensation circuit is dynamically adjustable for different lengths of optical fiber for simple installation and maintenance of the system. The adjustment can be made from a front panel of a laser transmitter during operation. Even though the optical signal is more distorted at the output of the laser transmitter, the optical signal that arrives at the receiver is less distorted.

Abstract: A control circuit (10) controls the operation of a laser diode (1) for controlling the average power output (Pav) and the extinction ratio. A state machine (21) controls the control circuit (10) which reads the current from a monitor photo diode (2) which is coupled to the laser diode (1). An amplifier (20) determines the average power output of the laser diode (1) which is fed to a first comparator (23). The first comparator (23) compares the average power output with a reference value set by a resistor (R3). The output from the comparator (23) is fed to the up/down pin of a first counter (25) which is clocked by the state machine (21). In the event that the average power output is too high the first counter (25) decreases the bias current to the laser diode (1) outputted by a constant current source (5), and vice versa.

Abstract: An emission timing control apparatus for a pulsed laser including a magnetic pulse compression circuit having a switching section for carrying out a switching operation to connect and disconnect a charging power source to and from the magnetic pulse compression circuit. The pulsed laser executes pulsed laser oscillation at a prescribed repetition frequency by turning on the switching section with a pulse oscillation synchronizing signal having the prescribed repetition frequency received from a semiconductor exposure apparatus, in which the emission timing control apparatus includes a reference delay time setting section for setting a prescribed reference delay time, and delay section for delaying a pulse oscillation synchronizing signal received from the semiconductor exposure apparatus by the time difference &tgr; calculated in the delay time calculating section and outputting to the switching section.

Abstract: The present invention related to a method and apparatus for controlling a laser structure, comprising at least an amplifying section, a phase section, a first reflection section, a first facet, emitting a substantial part of the electromagnetic radiation generated by the laser structure, and a second facet, injection means for injecting current in the phase section, injection means for injecting current in the reflection section, the method including the steps of determining a first value by measuring the power output at the first facet, determining a second value by measuring the power output at the second facet, determining a third value depending on the first value and the second value, determining a plurality of values for currents for controlling the laser structure from at least the third value, wherein the determining being based on a step of optimizing the third value, and injecting the currents with the determined current values via the injection means.

Abstract: Ellipsometer having a light source (L1, L2) which during operation provides a first light beam (g1) having a first angular frequency (&ohgr;1) and a second light beam (g2) having a second angular frequency (&ohgr;2), a neutral beam splitter N having a front face for receiving and at least partially transmitting a measurement beam (g′m2), which, during operation, is produced by scanning a sample (S; OD1, OD2) with the second light beam (g2), and a rear face for receiving the first light beam (g1). During operation, the measurement beam (g′m2) interferes with the first light beam (g1) at the rear face and an interference beam is thus formed. A unit (W1) receives the interference beam, separating the orthogonal components of the interference beam and providing two alternating voltages (V1, V2) corresponding thereto. The light source comprises a first laser source (L1) for only producing the first light beam (g1) and a separate laser source (L2) for only producing the second light beam (g2).

Abstract: A laser assembly has at least one optic element (6, 8) in the path of the laser beam (5) and at least partially permeable to the laser beam (5). There is at least one component for detecting the temperature of the optic element (6, 8) or which can detect the intensity of the light beamed by the optic element (6, 8). The laser beam (5) can be controlled to influence the temperature of the optic element (6, 8) depending upon the light intensity detected.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to precisely correct the luminous energy of a laser beam on a scanned surface which varies according to scanning and varies according to an angle of incidence with the scanned surface when a laser beam emitted from a semiconductor laser for emitting a laser beam having luminous energy according to supply current is scanned on the scanned surface via a scanning optical system.

Abstract: The output frequency of a semiconductor laser beam is stabilized using a grating or another optical device which has an interaction with the beam whose parameters are sensitive to the beam frequency. The grating (130) generates positive and negative first order diffracted beams (132, 134), whose angle of diffraction is sensitive to the beam frequency, and is detected by split photodetectors AB, CD respectively. In the event of a change in beam frequency the outputs from the photodetectors AB, CD will vary to provide an error signal for the laser frequency. This error signal is insensitive to variations in angular alignment between the beam and the diffraction grating. This is because variations in frequency and variations in angular alignment cause different changes in the outputs of the photodetectors AB, CD.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing the wavelength of lasers comprising a control circuit is proposed, wherein the light of the laser passes through a splitter and the split light passes through a wavelength filter in a first branch, and the light of both branches is in each case received by a photodetector. The photodetector of the first branch can be operated with different gain factors. The wavelength filter has a free spectral region which is greater than the spacing between the individual wavelengths in a wavelength division multiplex.

Abstract: A tunable laser system includes a gain medium and an optical resonator for generating a laser beam, and a spectral narrowing and tuning unit within the resonator. A detection and control unit controls a relative wavelength of the laser system. A wavelength calibration module calibrates the detection and control unit. The module contains more than one species each having an optical transition line within the tuning spectrum of the laser. A beam portion of the narrowed emission from the laser is directed through the wavelength calibration module and a beam portion is directed through the detection and control unit when the laser beam is scanned through the optical transition line of each of the species within the module. The detection and control unit is monitored and calibrated during the scanning.

Abstract: The optical signal produced by a modulated semiconductor laser is passed through a fiber grating optical discriminator to increase the modulation response of the device and decrease the output chirp for transmission through optical fiber. In one embodiment, a simple pulse source comprises a directly modulated single mode semiconductor laser and a fiber Bragg grating filter. A single-mode semiconductor laser, such as, a distributed feed-back laser is driven by the addition of a DC bias current and a sinusoidal current at the desired bit rate. The output of the laser is passed through a low pass or high pass fiber Bragg grating filter with a sharp edge to produce nearly transform limited pulses. Stabilization of a laser apparatus is included.

Abstract: A simmer circuit 18 comprises a power supply unit 54 for the supply of a simmer current Is to an excitation lamp 22 and a control unit 56 for the control of the current value of the simmer current Is. In the control unit 56, a current detection signal Vs from a current sensor, e.g., a Hall CT 70 attached to the power supply unit 54 is fed via a buffer amplifier 72 for impedance conversion to a non-inversion input terminal of an operational amplifier 82 for signal amplification. The amplification factor &mgr; of the operational amplifier 82 differs depending on which one is selected from three switches 84, 86 and 88. A CPU 38 selects the switch 84 when switching the simmer current Is to 0.3 A for “low speed zone”, selects the switch 86 when switching to 2 A for “medium speed zone” and switches 88 when switching to 5 A for “high speed zone”.

Abstract: The output wavelength of a laser-diode pumped fiber source can be stabilized at its minimum value irrespective of temperature and the age of the laser diode by the seeking the minimum output wavelength of the fiber source. By introducing a dither on the temperature of the pump laser diode, a measurement feedback loop can be used to determine the optimal value of the temperature. Once determined, the temperature is used to fix the wavelength of the source.

Abstract: A wavelength stabilized laser system includes a laser that produces a laser light. The laser light has an amplitude and a wavelength that vary with the laser temperature. A first detector provides a first signal representing the amplitude of the laser light. A filter has a gain that is a function of the wavelength of the laser light. The filter receives the laser light and outputs a filtered light having an amplitude that varies with the wavelength of the laser light. A second detector provides a second signal representing the amplitude of the filtered light. A transformer has a primary and a secondary. The primary is electrically coupled to the first and second detectors. The primary of the transformer includes a first coil connected to the first detector and a second coil connected to the second detector. The first and second coils of the primary are opposite in polarity from each other.

Abstract: An A/B class output stage of a signal treating circuit, such as for example a mobile telephone, a radio car kit, other portable equipment, etc. treats a signal. The A/B class output stage drives a load with the signal as treated by the signal treating circuit. The output stage can be connected to one of more than one supply voltages as a function of a voltage value of the signal. The signal treating circuit comprises a D/A converter circuit and a non-linear operating circuit between an input of the signal treating circuit and the D/A converter. Above a certain signal value a change in supply voltage is made. Distortions in an output signal resulting from such a change are prevented by having the non-linear operating circuit generate a jump in DC level at an output of the output stage or raise a value of the signal at a non-clipping one of two output terminals with an extra amount that compensates for the clipping at a clipping one of the two output terminals.

Abstract: A burst mode optical transmitter circuit comprises a semiconductor laser, a photodiode for monitoring the light output from the semiconductor laser, a current-voltage converting circuit for converting the current detected by the photodiode into a voltage, an APC amplifier, a holding circuit for holding, as a current control signal, the output signal from the APC amplifier, a driving circuit for supplying a driving current to the semiconductor laser according the current control signal from the holding circuit and the the data input in the burst mode, and a data interruption detecting circuit for detecting an interrupt period of the data input to the driving circuit to reset the holding circuit, in which the current control signal held in the hold circuit is reset by the reset signal, whereby a stable burst optical transmission can be performed stably with a simple construction.

Abstract: An optical transmission device obtains driving control data corresponding to a temperature detected by a temperature detection circuit (112) from memory means (173), controls a driving current to be supplied to a laser diode (100) based on the driving control data, and measures a driving current to be actually supplied to the laser diode whose emission power is held constant by an automatic optical output control circuit (115, 113). Further, when the difference between the measured driving current and a driving current determined by the driving control data corresponding to the detected temperature at that time exceeds an allowable range, the optical transmission device updates the driving control data related to the corresponding temperature, on the memory means so that the difference between the driving currents is defined as each of increases in bias current and modulating current.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for controlling a drive current of an optical transmitter having a laser. A sensing circuit generates a sensing signal responsive to an intensity of an optical radiation emitted by the laser. An error circuit is coupled to the sensing circuit to generate an error quantity in response to the sensing signal. An updating circuit is coupled to the error circuit to update a control quantity based on the error quantity synchronously with an input signal. The control quantity controls the drive current.