Particular Temperature Control Patents (Class 372/34)
-
Patent number: 7839908Abstract: Provided is a device capable of oscillating a plurality of oscillation modes within a laser medium for obtaining a fundamental wave output which is easy in output scaling and high in luminance, thereby enabling a second harmonic conversion which is high in efficiency. The device includes: a laser medium (5) that is planar, has a waveguide structure in a thickness direction of a cross-section that is perpendicular to an optical axis (6), and has a cyclic lens effect in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis (6) and the thickness direction; a clad (4) that is bonded onto one surface of the laser medium (5); and heat sink (3) that is bonded onto one surface side of the laser medium (5) through the clad (4), and in the device, a laser oscillation includes a laser oscillation that oscillates in a waveguide mode of the laser medium (5), and a laser oscillation that oscillates in a plurality of resonator modes that are generated by a cyclic lens effect of the laser medium (5).Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2005Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Takayuki Yanagisawa, Yoshihito Hirano, Syuhei Yamamoto, Masao Imaki, Kiyohide Sakai, Yasuharu Koyata
-
Patent number: 7839907Abstract: Laser driving apparatus in which a temperature is controlled such that an optical output is maximum, even when a laser device using an optical wavelength conversion element is used in a backlight source of a liquid crystal display that adjusts light dynamically. Current detection section 5 detects an average value of a driving current by which laser device 1 is pulse-driven. Optical detection section 3 detects an average value of an optical output from laser device 1. Efficiency detection section 9 calculates a ratio of an output from optical detection section 3 to an output from current detection section 5. A temperature setting value at which an efficiency value which is a result of the computation is maximum is provided to temperature control section 7 and a temperature of nonlinear optical crystal 12 of laser device 1 is controlled, whereby laser device 1 is driven such that the optical output from laser device 1 is always maximum.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2009Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventor: Shuji Inoue
-
Publication number: 20100290488Abstract: The present invention relates to a green laser generation device which can be applied to a cellular phone, and more particularly to a green laser generation device which is ultra compact in size having volume of 1 cc or less, despite having a built-in thermo electric cooler, and has sufficient output power, despite having low power consumption, and a portable electronic machine having a laser projection display using the said device. The present invention provides a green laser generation device comprising an LD pump constituted by a photo diode; a fundamental generator generating infrared light laser according to the driving of the LD pump; a second harmonic generator generating green light using the generated infrared light laser; a polarization maintenance unit inserted between the fundamental generator and the second harmonic generator to maintain the polarization of the laser; and a temperature controller controlling an internal temperature of the green laser generation device.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2008Publication date: November 18, 2010Applicant: GWANGJU INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYInventors: Do-Kyung Ko, Nan-Ei Yu, Chang-Soo Jung, Yeung-Lak Lee, Bong-Ahn Yu
-
Patent number: 7835409Abstract: An illumination light source is provided with a laser light source having a laser medium with a specified gain region, and a reflector having a narrow band reflection characteristic. A part of a laser light emitted from the laser light source is reflected and fed back by the reflector, so that an oscillation wavelength of the laser light source is fixed at a reflection wavelength. A peak of a gain region of the laser medium is shifted from the reflection wavelength by a change of an oscillation characteristic of the laser light source, so that the oscillation wavelength of the laser light source is changed from the reflection wavelength. Thus, an oscillation spectrum of the laser light source is spread to reduce speckle noise.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2007Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Kiminori Mizuuchi, Kazuhisa Yamamoto
-
Patent number: 7832944Abstract: Optical subassemblies including optical transmit and receive subassemblies. The optical subassemblies comprise a housing; a substrate mounted within the housing; a thermoelectric cooler (TEC) thermally coupled to the substrate, the TEC being mounted within the housing; an optical component structurally mounted on the substrate, wherein the optical component is thermally coupled to the TEC; and a TEC driver electrically coupled to the TEC, wherein the TEC driver is configured to electrically drive the TEC, the TEC driver being mounted within the housing.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2008Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: Finisar CorporationInventors: Lucy G. Hosking, Henry Daghighian
-
Patent number: 7830945Abstract: A laser apparatus includes: a plurality of laser diodes respectively having light-emission points and being fixed to a block so that the light-emission points are aligned along a direction; and a collimator-lens array integrally formed to contain a plurality of collimator lenses which are arranged along a direction and respectively collimate laser beams emitted from the plurality of laser diodes. The block has a lens-setting surface which is flat, perpendicular to optical axes of the plurality of laser diodes, and located on the forward side of the plurality of laser diodes at a predetermined distance from the light-emission points, and the collimator-lens array is fixed to the block so that an end surface of the collimator-lens array is in contact with the lens-setting surface.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2003Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventors: Kazuhiko Nagano, Yoji Okazaki, Teruhiko Kuramachi, Takashi Yoshida, Satoshi Mino, Eiji Suzuki
-
Patent number: 7830933Abstract: An optical transmitter with a plurality of transmitter units each providing a Peltier device is disclosed. The Peltier devices of the invention are connected in series with respect to the driver, accordingly, even when the Peltier devices show a relative low impedance, a total load impedance viewed from the driver becomes a substantial value and the total power consumption of the transmitter may be reduced.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2008Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Tomoyuki Funada
-
Publication number: 20100277726Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing, identifying or imaging an target including an integrated dual laser module coupled to a pair of photoconductive switches to produce cw signals in the range of frequencies from 100 GHz to over 2 THz focused on and transmitted through or reflected from the target; and a detector for acquiring spectral information from signals received from the target and using a multi-spectral homodyne process to generate an electrical signal representative of some characteristics of the target with resolution less than 250 MHz. The photoconductive switches are activated by laser beams from the dual laser module. The lasers in the module are tuned to different frequencies and have two distinct low frequency identification tones respectively that are used in conjunction with a stable optical filter element to permit precise determination of the offset frequency of the lasers.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2008Publication date: November 4, 2010Applicant: Emcore CorporationInventors: Ronald T. Logan, JR., Joseph R. Demers, Bryon L. Kasper
-
Patent number: 7826739Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling the modulation current of a laser included as a component of an optical transmitter, such as an optical transceiver module, are disclosed. Control of the modulation current, which affects various laser operational parameters, including extinction ratio and optical modulation amplitude, enables operation of the laser to be optimized, thereby enabling reliable transceiver performance to be achieved. In one embodiment, a method for modifying the modulation current in an optical transceiver module includes first sensing analog voltage data that proportionally relates to an actual modulation current of the laser. Once sensed, the analog voltage data are converted to digital voltage data. Using the digital voltage data, the actual modulation current of the laser is determined, then a desired modulation current is determined. Should a discrepancy exist between the actual and desired modulation currents, the actual modulation current is modified to match the desired current.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2007Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: Finisar CorporationInventors: Stephen T. Nelson, Timothy G. Moran
-
Patent number: 7826503Abstract: In a semiconductor lasers using quantum well gain medium, a quantum well stack is mounted in an epi-down configuration. The epitaxial side of the device may be directly bonded to an efficient heat transport system so that heat may more easily leave the quantum well stack layers and be disposed at a heatsink. Such a device runs cooler and exhibits reduced loss mechanisms as represented by a laser system loss-line. External cavity systems using this configuration may permit a high degree of tunability, and these systems are particularly improved as the tuning range is extended by lowered cavity losses.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2008Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: Daylight Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Timothy Day, Miles James Weida
-
Patent number: 7822086Abstract: The temperature of a laser diode changes in response to video content across a line of a displayed image, and the radiance changes as a function of temperature. An adaptive model estimates the temperature of the laser diode based on prior drive current values. For each displayed pixel, diode drive current is determined from the estimated diode temperature and a desired radiance value. A feedback circuit periodically measures the actual temperature and updates the adaptive model.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2007Date of Patent: October 26, 2010Assignee: Microvision, Inc.Inventors: Margaret K. Brown, Randall B. Sprague, Michael L. Schaaf, Bin Xue
-
Patent number: 7822091Abstract: The present invention pertains to a composite slab laser gain medium with an undoped core and at least one doped gain medium section disposed on at least one side of that core. The gain medium is constructed so as to mitigate the effects of thermal and mechanical stresses within it and also allow for impingement cooling of the doped gain medium section.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2008Date of Patent: October 26, 2010Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Paul E. Jackson, Nilo R. Salazar, Frederick G. Baum, Jr.
-
Publication number: 20100267176Abstract: A light emitting apparatus comprising a substrate, a first functional chip and a first light emitting component is provided. The substrate, the first functional chip, and the first light emitting component have a plurality of first bumps. In addition, the first functional chip has a plurality of first vias. The first light emitting component and the first functional chip are stacked on the substrate. Hence, the first light emitting component is electrically connected to the first functional chip and the substrate by the first vias and the first bumps.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2009Publication date: October 21, 2010Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTEInventors: Chun-Kai Liu, Yu-Lin Chao, Ming-Ji Dai
-
Patent number: 7817689Abstract: A laser source device includes: a plurality of lasers; wavelength converting elements that convert wavelengths of a plurality of light beams emitted from the plurality of lasers; a temperature sensor that detects the temperatures of the wavelength converting elements; and a temperature controlling unit that controls the temperatures of the wavelength converting elements on the basis of an output of the temperature sensor.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2006Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Takashi Takeda, Masatoshi Yonekubo
-
Patent number: 7817695Abstract: A surface emitting semiconductor laser device comprising at least one surface emitting semiconductor laser (21) having a vertical emitter (1) and at least one pump radiation source (2), which are monolithically integrated alongside one another onto a common substrate (13), is described. The semiconductor laser device additionally has a heat-conducting element (18), which is in thermal contact with the semiconductor laser (21) and has a mounting area provided for mounting on a carrier (27). Methods for producing such a surface emitting semiconductor laser device are furthermore described.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2005Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: Osram Opto Semiconductors GmbHInventors: Tony Albrecht, Stephan Lutgen, Wolfgang Reill, Thomas Schwarz, Ulrich Steegmüller
-
Publication number: 20100260215Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a DBR laser diode wherein front and rear DBR section heating elements are controlled such that the reflectivity of the rear grating portion of the DBR section is lower than the reflectivity of the front grating portion of the DBR section. In this manner, lasing mode selection is dominated by the front grating portion and the front DBR section heating element can be controlled for wavelength tuning. In addition, the rear DBR section heating element can be controlled to narrow the spectral bandwidth of the DBR reflection spectra. Additional embodiments are disclosed and claimed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2009Publication date: October 14, 2010Inventors: Hong Ky Nguyen, Chung-En Zah
-
Patent number: 7813391Abstract: A method of controlling a semiconductor laser that has a plurality of wavelength selection portions having a different wavelength property from each other and is mounted on a temperature control device, including: a first step of correcting a temperature of the temperature control device according to a detected output wavelength of the semiconductor laser; and a second step of controlling at least one of the wavelength selection portions so that changing amount differentials between each wavelength property of the plurality of the wavelength selection portions is reduced, the changing amount differential being caused by correcting the temperature of the temperature control device.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2008Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: Eudyna Devices Inc.Inventors: Hirokazu Tanaka, Tsutomu Ishikawa, Toyotoshi Machida
-
Publication number: 20100254416Abstract: A tunable laser source includes a resonator filter which includes a multiple optical resonator having a plurality of optical resonators different in optical path length, an optical amplifier which amplifies output light from the resonator filter, a temperature control element provided for the resonator filter, an optical output level detection unit which detects an output level of light output from the optical amplifier, and a temperature control unit which controls the state of the temperature control element so as to maximize the output level detected by the optical output level detection unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2010Publication date: October 7, 2010Inventor: Kouichi Suzuki
-
Patent number: 7809033Abstract: A laser oscillator is obtained in which the flatness of an optical element that makes contact with a cooling flange is maintained in a highly precise state, by suppressing a flange presser and a base from profile-deforming the cooling flange.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2008Date of Patent: October 5, 2010Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Koji Funaoka, Masahiko Hasegawa, Kazuo Sugihara, Yasunari Matsumoto
-
Publication number: 20100243891Abstract: A compact mid-IR laser device utilizes a quantum cascade laser to provide mid-IR frequencies suitable for use in molecular detection by signature absorption spectra. The compact nature of the device is obtained owing to an efficient heat transfer structure, the use of a small diameter aspheric lens and a monolithic assembly structure to hold the optical elements in a fixed position relative to one another. The compact housing size may be approximately 20 cm×20 cm×20 cm or less. Efficient heat transfer is achieved using a thermoelectric cooler TEC combined with a high thermal conductivity heat spreader onto which the quantum cascade laser is thermally coupled. The heat spreader not only serves to dissipate heat and conduct same to the TEC, but also serves as an optical platform to secure the optical elements within the housing in a fixed relationship relative on one another.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2010Publication date: September 30, 2010Inventors: Timothy Day, David F. Arnone
-
Publication number: 20100246609Abstract: The present application provides a semiconductor Fabry-Perot dual mode lasing device having terahertz characteristics resulting in significant advantages over the prior art including for example operation at room temperatures and the absence of re-growth processing requirements.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2007Publication date: September 30, 2010Inventors: Richard Phelan, John A. Patchell, James C. O'Gorman
-
Publication number: 20100246620Abstract: A laser device includes: an optical modulator that is optically coupled to a semiconductor laser mounted on a first mounting portion; a second mounting portion that is separately away from the first mounting portion; a bridge that couples the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion; a driver IC that is mounted on the second mounting portion and drives the optical modulator through a transmission pathway provided on the bridge; and a capacitor that is provided on the bridge and is coupled to the transmission pathway.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2010Publication date: September 30, 2010Applicant: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC DEVICE INNOVATIONS, INC.Inventors: Hideki Maruyama, Kakushi Nakagawa, Keiji Nakazawa
-
Patent number: 7804868Abstract: A chip carrier having improver thermal properties, wherein the chip carrier may be formed having waist section, and a first transverse end portion joined to the waist section. A first surface of the carrier being configured to receive a chip thereon, and a second surface of the carrier configured to be coupled to a thermal control unit to provide cooling of the carrier and chip. The chip carrier may have a second transverse end portion joined to the waist portion in certain embodiments.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2006Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: William J. Kozlovsky, Andrew J. Daiber, Kevin A. Sawyer
-
Patent number: 7804867Abstract: A laser mounted in a casing is driven by and mounted close to its driving circuit. To reduce the effect on the laser of heat generated by the driver circuit, the casing includes a passive heat sink element on which the driver circuit is mounted whereby heat generated by the driver is dissipated by the passive heat sink element.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2008Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Assignee: Avago Technologies Fiber IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Marco Scofet, Enrico Di Mascio, Cristiana Contardi, Stefano Genisio
-
Patent number: 7801191Abstract: In a semiconductor laser device, in a case where an emission direction of a laser beam from a semiconductor laser element portion is a front side, a first front end of a first lead is arranged rearward beyond a first rear end of a second heatsink, and a second surface portion of the second heatsink electrically connected to the semiconductor laser element portion is electrically connected to the first front end.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2008Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yasuyuki Bessho
-
Patent number: 7801190Abstract: A laser radiation source which is scalable with respect to output is designed in such a way that laser diode elements can be arranged on a carrier so as to be stacked equidistantly and with low stress at a low manufacturing cost. The laser radiation source comprises a vertical stack of laser diode elements contacted on both sides via electrically conductive substrate layers, and at least one multi-layer carrier comprising a first and a second metallic layer which are separated by at least one electrically insulating layer of nonmetallic material. At least one of the metallic layers is divided into metallic layer regions which are arranged adjacent to one another and at a distance from one another. Oppositely polarized substrate layers of adjacent laser diode elements are arranged on common layer regions of a metallic layer. Collimating lenses serve to collimate the radiation emitted by the laser diode elements.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2007Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: JENOPTIK Laser GmbHInventors: Dirk Lorenzen, Petra Hennig, Matthias Schroeder, Ulrich Roellig
-
Publication number: 20100232460Abstract: An electromagnetic pumped alkali metal vapor cell system is provided. The system comprises a vapor cell and windings. The vapor cell contains alkali metal and a buffer. The windings are positioned around the vapor cell and are configured to create an electromagnet field in the vapor cell when an AC signal is applied to the windings. The electromagnetic field pumps unexcited alkali vapor into unionized D1 and D2 states.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2009Publication date: September 16, 2010Inventor: John S. Canham
-
Publication number: 20100232462Abstract: An apparatus comprising a plurality of laser dice and a heat sink positioned between the laser dice and thermally coupled to the laser dice. Also included is an apparatus comprising a chip comprising a laser core, a stopper at least partially defining a groove, wherein the stopper and the groove are positioned adjacent to the chip, and a heater located between the laser core and the groove.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2009Publication date: September 16, 2010Applicant: FUTUREWEI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Xiao A. Shen, Yu Sheng Bai
-
Patent number: 7796657Abstract: An optical module includes a laser device, a thermal conduction member, a Peltier device disposed between the laser device and the thermal conduction member, a heat radiation part, and a variable thermal-resistance device disposed between the thermal conduction member and the heat radiation part, the variable thermal-resistance device changing a thermal resistance between the thermal conduction member and the heat radiation part according to an ambient temperature.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2009Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventor: Masahiro Mogi
-
Publication number: 20100220755Abstract: The present invention relates to a laser module, comprising a flat substrate basis with a mounting region and with at least one heat conducting region adjoining the mounting region, one heating element arranged in the mounting region and one temperature sensor element arranged in the mounting region.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2008Publication date: September 2, 2010Applicant: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft Zur Foerderung Der Angewandten Forschung E.V.Inventors: Fuchs Frank, Rudolf Moritz, Christoph Wild, Eckhard Woerner
-
Publication number: 20100215068Abstract: A method for operating a frequency converted laser source comprising at least one semiconductor laser and a wavelength conversion device optically coupled to at least one semiconductor laser may include operating the frequency converted laser source to produce a frequency converted output beam from the wavelength conversion device and intermittently heating the wavelength conversion device above a recovery threshold temperature TR of the wavelength conversion device. When the wavelength conversion device is heated above the recovery threshold temperature, the wavelength conversion device is held above the recovery threshold temperature TR for a period of time sufficient to restore output power lost to photo-degradation in the wavelength conversion device during operation of the frequency converted laser source.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2009Publication date: August 26, 2010Inventors: Uta-Barbara Goers, Rostislav V. Roussev
-
Publication number: 20100208758Abstract: The controller 170 controls the output power of the semiconductor laser device 100a depending on the temperature of the semiconductor laser device 100a acquired by the temperature sensor 130. The controller 170 references the correspondence table 510 when the sensor temperature Ts is obtained, obtains the output power PWs corresponding to the sensor temperature Ts, and controls the power supply driving circuit 150a so that the output power per unit time of the semiconductor laser device 100a will be the output power PWs. Thus increase in temperature of the semiconductor laser device is able to be prevented through reducing the output power by controlling the amount of power supplied to the semiconductor laser device.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2010Publication date: August 19, 2010Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATIONInventor: Shunji Kamijima
-
Patent number: 7778294Abstract: In an optical disk apparatus, by obtaining the temperature in the vicinity of a laser in the apparatus, the power source voltage of the laser driver is controlled such that power consumed by the headroom of the laser driver is reduced to the maximum extent without deteriorating the current drive characteristic of the headroom when the temperature becomes higher. The laser driving current of the laser driver is monitored to control the power source of the laser driver such that the power consumed by the headroom is possibly reduced while maintaining the current drive characteristic of the headroom for the monitored current.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2006Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Koichiro Nishimura, Masayuki Inoue, Toshifumi Takeuchi
-
Patent number: 7778292Abstract: It is an object to enable control according to an optimum temperature condition for a wavelength conversion device.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2008Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignee: Keyence CorporationInventors: Hideyuki Suzuki, Takaaki Ito
-
Patent number: 7778295Abstract: A distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) includes a base substrate and a gain medium formed on the base substrate. A waveguide positioned above the base substrate in optical communication with the gain medium and defines a gap extending between the base substrate and the waveguide along a substantial portion of the length thereof. The waveguide may have a grating formed therein. A heating element is in thermal contact with the waveguide and electrically coupled to a controller configured to adjust optical properties of the waveguide by controlling power supplied to the heating element.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2008Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignee: Finisar CorporationInventors: Yasuhiro Matsui, Kevin J. McCallion, Parviz Tayebati
-
Patent number: 7773645Abstract: A laser package comprising a semiconductor laser having an operating temperature range and a heater, wherein the heater is configured to heat the laser when the laser package is positioned in an environment having an ambient temperature which lies outside of the operating temperature range of the laser, so that the laser will remain within the operating temperature range.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2006Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Ahura Scientific Inc.Inventors: Peidong Wang, Daryoosh Vakhshoori, Masud Azimi, Kevin J. Knopp
-
Patent number: 7773642Abstract: To provide a tunable laser with high reliability and high performance, and of low cost. A tunable laser (10) comprises a double ring resonator (11) where ring resonators (111, 112) of different sizes are coupled through a directional coupler (122), an LD side waveguide (13) connected at one end (131) to the ring resonator (111) through a directional coupler (123), a reflection side waveguide (14) connected at one end (141) to the ring resonator (112) through a directional coupler (123), a PLC board (15) on which the ring resonator (111) and the like are formed, a high reflection film (16) provided at the other end (142) of the reflection side waveguide (14), an LD chip (17) having a low reflection film (18) formed on either of two opposing emission end faces (171, 172) and coupled optically with the other end (132) of the LD side waveguide (13), and film-like heaters (191-194) for varying the resonance wavelength of the double ring resonator (11).Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2005Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: NEC CorporationInventor: Hiroyuki Yamazaki
-
Patent number: 7773653Abstract: A diode laser apparatus includes a plurality of laser bars, each laser bar having an emission direction and a beam path. The laser bars are disposed along an arc, the emission directions of the laser bars are directed toward an inside of the arc, and a slow-axis direction of each laser bar is oriented along the arc.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2005Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: TRUMPF LASER GmbH + Co. KGInventors: Andreas Voss, Martin Liermann, Friedhelm Dorsch, Klaus Wallmeroth, Malte Kumkar, Christian Schmitz
-
Patent number: 7773644Abstract: A frequency-stabilized laser device comprises an actuator arranged to vary the cavity length; an actuator driver arranged to apply a voltage to the actuator for changing displacement; a temperature detector arranged to detect the temperature on the cavity; a temperature adjuster arranged to heat or cool the cavity; a cavity temperature controller arranged to control the temperature adjuster based on a previously given instruction temperature and the temperature on the cavity detected at the temperature detector; and an instruction temperature corrector arranged to correct the instruction temperature given to the cavity temperature controller such that the voltage applied to the actuator remains almost constant.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2008Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Mitutoyo CorporationInventor: Hidekazu Oozeki
-
Patent number: 7771071Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a thermally controlled optical filter comprises a frame coupled to an etalon where the frame includes a resistive thermal device disposed on the frame to obtain thermal measurements of the etalon during operation. The frame may be generally L-shaped or generally square-shaped. The frame may include a fillet that is generally planar, generally beveled or trapezoidal, or generally circular in shape. A heater may be additionally disposed on the frame. The etalon and frame subassembly may be bonded to a micro hot plate that is capable of heating the etalon to an operational temperature.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2007Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Emcore CorporationInventors: Marc Finot, Mark McDonald, Andrew Daiber
-
Laser diode control method, laser diode control device, and information recording/playback apparatus
Patent number: 7769064Abstract: Even though a laser diode is within the operation guarantee temperature range, the rise time characteristics required to protect and maintain the writing quality right away may not be present at a lower temperature. By sufficiently increasing the rise time, a laser diode control method of the present invention makes it possible to write readily. A laser diode control device includes a temperature sensor for detecting temperature of a laser diode. When a detected temperature by the temperature sensor is equal to or below a predetermined value within the operation guarantee temperature range, a seek motor controls the position of a pickup to move the pickup to a region outside a recording region of a recording medium. In this way, a current exceeding a threshold current value is supplied to the laser diode, and the writing operation starts after the laser diode temperature is increased up to a level where the rise time characteristics required to protect and maintain the writing quality is present.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2008Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventor: Kenichi Nagashima -
Patent number: 7764885Abstract: Modules and signal control circuits configured to at least partially compensate for or adjust for asymmetric rise/fall time. The circuit may include a first input node configured to receive a first data signal and a second input node configured to receive a second data signal that is complementary of the first data signal. The circuit may also include a first stage having a first node coupled to the first input node and a second node coupled to the second input node and a second stage having a first node coupled to a third node of the first stage and a second node coupled to a fourth node of the first stage. The second stage may be configured to drive a load such as a laser. The circuit may further include a third input node configured to receive a third data signal and a fourth input node configured to receive a fourth data signal that is the complementary of the third data signal.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2007Date of Patent: July 27, 2010Assignee: Finisar CorporationInventors: The'Linh Nguyen, Timothy G. Moran
-
Patent number: 7760777Abstract: A distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) includes a base substrate and a gain medium formed on the base substrate. A waveguide positioned above the base substrate in optical communication with the gain medium and defines a gap extending between the base substrate and the waveguide along a substantial portion of the length thereof. The waveguide having a grating formed therein. A heating element is in thermal contact with the waveguide and electrically coupled to a controller electrically configured to adjust optical properties of the waveguide by controlling power supplied to the heating element.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2008Date of Patent: July 20, 2010Assignee: Finisar CorporationInventors: Yasuhiro Matsui, Kevin J. McCallion, Parviz Tayebati
-
Patent number: 7760778Abstract: A system and method are provided for cooling a crystal rod of a side-pumped laser. A transparent housing receives the crystal rod therethrough so that an annular gap is defined between the housing and the radial surface of the crystal rod. A fluid coolant is injected into the annular gap such the annular gap is partially filled with the fluid coolant while the radial surface of the crystal rod is wetted as a thin film all along the axial length thereof.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2007Date of Patent: July 20, 2010Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventor: Brian K. Stewart
-
Publication number: 20100177793Abstract: An external-cavity laser module includes a package defining an enclosure, the package including a base having a surface internal to the enclosure, a thermoelectric cooler within the enclosure, the thermoelectric cooler including an upper carrier plate and a lower carrier plate, the lower carrier plate being placed on the internal surface of the base and the thermoelectric cooler (TEC) being configured to stabilise the temperature of the upper carrier plate at a substantially constant temperature. The laser module further includes a laser assembly housed within the enclosure, including a gain medium for emitting an optical beam into the external cavity and an end mirror. Variations of the environmental temperature with respect to the thermally stabilised temperature cause mechanical deformations of the TEC upper carrier plate that is in thermal coupling with the laser assembly. The mechanical deformations in turn induce variations in the optical path length of the laser cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2006Publication date: July 15, 2010Applicant: PIRELLI & C.S.P.A.Inventors: Giacomo Antonio Rossi, Marco De Donno, Paolo Zago
-
Patent number: 7756182Abstract: The laser tube housing of a CO2 slab laser is provided with a cooling system in which coolant fluid tubes are inserted into hollowed out portions formed in the longitudinal sidewalls of the laser tube housing; mounting the coolant fluid tubes in this way provides for enhanced cooling and increased stiffness of the laser tube housing. Also, a cooling system is provided for the laser's electrode assembly that relies on a manifold system that is mounted on a longitudinal sidewall of the laser tube housing to route coolant fluid through the sidewall to the electrode assembly; sidewall flow of the coolant fluid enables the end flanges of the laser tube housing to be remove without disturbing either the electrodes or the optical resonator of the laser.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2008Date of Patent: July 13, 2010Assignee: Coherent, Inc.Inventors: Leon A. Newman, Christian J. Shackleton, Adrian Papanide
-
Patent number: 7756172Abstract: In order to operate a laser amplifier system comprising a solid-state body thermally coupled to a cooling member and having a laser active volume area, in which at least one laser-active amplifier structure consisting of semiconductor material is arranged in at least one surface and extends at least over partial areas of the surface, a pumping radiation source generating a pumping radiation field for the optical pumping of the laser-active volume area and an optical means of the amplifier defining a laser amplifier radiation field passing through the laser active volume area, as efficiently as possible it is suggested that the absorption of pumping radiation from the pumping radiation field in the laser-active amplifier structure be equal to or greater than the absorption of pumping radiation by a surrounding structure adjacent to the amplifier structure and that the pumping radiation field proceed such that it passes several times through the amplifier structure.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2004Date of Patent: July 13, 2010Assignee: Osram Opto Semiconductors GmbHInventors: Adolf Giesen, Svent-Simon Beyertt, Uwe Brauch
-
Publication number: 20100163210Abstract: A cooling box for electric or electronic components, consisting of a material, wherein the cooling box is non-electrically conductive or practically non-electrically conductive, is configured in one piece or multiple pieces and has a cavity that is enclosed by the material, wherein cavity being closed or provided with at least one opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2008Publication date: July 1, 2010Inventor: Claus Peter Kluge
-
Publication number: 20100166029Abstract: An assembly for distributing laser energy is provided that is formed using a compact rigid housing with a sealed beam path contained therein. The assembly employs a monolithic housing with modular collimator and mirror switching components installed therein to reduce its size while maintaining a sealed beam path thereby reducing the possibility of contamination of the beam path. Other than the optics and mirror, there are no elements of the distribution device contained within the beam path. In one embodiment, the assembly distributes incoming energy from a single source to one or more outputs. In another embodiment, the assembly operates as a beam combiner to direct energy from one or more sources to a single output.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2008Publication date: July 1, 2010Inventors: Yuri Grapov, William D. Jones, Michael Digiantommaso
-
Patent number: 7746912Abstract: A vertical cavity surface emitting laser element is provided that includes a substrate, a first semiconductor multilayer reflector including plural pairs of layers having differing refractive indexes and thermal resistances, a resonator region including an active layer, and a second semiconductor multilayer reflector including plural pairs of layers having differing refractive indexes and thermal resistances.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2007Date of Patent: June 29, 2010Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Hiroshi Motomura, Naoto Jikutani, Shunichi Sato