Particular Temperature Control Patents (Class 372/34)
  • Patent number: 8287131
    Abstract: A wavelength conversion laser is provided with a solid-state laser having a cavity, and a wavelength converting element arranged within the cavity. The solid-state laser includes two or more types of laser crystals and oscillates solid-state laser light of multiple wavelengths. The wavelength converting element converts the solid-state laser light of multiple wavelengths into light of second harmonic waves and sum-frequency wave of multiple wavelengths and simultaneously generates the second harmonic waves and sum-frequency wave of multiple wavelengths. The wavelength conversion laser outputs converted wavelength light having a broad spectral width and low coherency, thereby enabling it to carry out highly efficient and stable high-output oscillation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuro Mizushima, Toshifumi Yokoyama, Tatsuo Itoh, Kenji Nakayama, Kiminori Mizuuchi, Kazuhisa Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8290015
    Abstract: A two-beam semiconductor laser device 10 includes: a two-beam semiconductor element LDC having a first and a second semiconductor laser elements LD1 and LD2 that can be driven independently and that are formed integrally on a substrate; and a submount 63 having, mounted on a front part thereof, the two-beam semiconductor laser element LDC with the light-emitting face thereof directed forward and having a first and a second electrode pads 64 and 65 connected to electrodes 61 and 62 of the first and second semiconductor laser element LD1 and LD2 by being kept in contact therewith. The first and second electrode pads 64 and 65 are formed to extend farther behind the two-beam semiconductor laser element LDC, and wires 14 and 16 are wire-bonded behind the two-beam semiconductor laser element LDC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignees: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., Tottori Sanyo Electric Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Watanabe, Kouji Ueyama, Shinichirou Akiyoshi
  • Patent number: 8275011
    Abstract: To detect a wavelength drift of laser light with no error, an optical transmission module (10) includes: a laser diode (20); a laser temperature calculation section (52) for detecting the temperature of the laser diode (20) that monotonously increases with respect to a wavelength of the laser light; a wavelength calculation section (44) for detecting a transmittance of the laser light incident on an etalon filter (36) whose transmittance periodically varies with respect to the wavelength of the incident light, and a laser wavelength corresponding to the transmittance; and a wavelength error obtaining section (54) for detecting a wavelength error (wavelength drift), from a target wavelength, of the laser light output from the laser diode (20), based on the temperature detected by the laser temperature calculation section (52) and the laser wavelength detected by the wavelength calculation section (44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Opnext Japan Inc.
    Inventors: Takaharu Arai, Kenji Yoshimoto, Hayato Minekawa
  • Patent number: 8270443
    Abstract: A side-pumped, diode-pumped solid-state laser cavity includes a conductively cooled housing having an opening for pump radiation from a diode array in close proximity to a laser rod. The pump light is absorbed by the rod and excites the laser ions. The cavity includes a thin, diffuse reflector encircling the rod, having a shaped opening for the collection and redirection of the pump light into the rod, and a good heat conductor as the heat sink and heat conductor. A split heat sink inhibits the flow of heat from the pump diodes into the laser rod, and pre-formed air spacings are designed to provide uniform temperature distribution around the laser rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Ram Oron, Doron Nevo, Moshe Oron
  • Patent number: 8265111
    Abstract: When a laser light source module includes a heat sink in which a solid laser element, an excitation light source, and a wavelength conversion element are arranged and a stem that supports the heat sink, wherein the heat sink is separated into three blocks, namely a first block including a laser oscillating unit for the solid laser element is arranged, a second block including a semiconductor laser element that emits excitation light for the laser oscillating unit and a first temperature sensor are arranged and on a specific surface of which the first heater is arranged, and a third block including the wavelength conversion element that converts the wavelength of the fundamental laser beam and a second temperature sensor are arranged and on a specific surface of which a second heater is arranged, enabling thus downsizing of the module and improvement of the positioning accuracy of the elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Motoaki Tamaya, Chise Nanba, Akira Nakamura, Keiichi Fukuda, Koji Funaoka, Manabu Kawakami, Masamitsu Okamura
  • Patent number: 8265105
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and apparatuses for performing temporal scanning using ultra-short pulsewidth lasers in which only minimal (micro-scale) mechanical movement is required. The invention also relates to methods for obtaining high-accuracy timing calibration, on the order of femtoseconds. A dual laser system is disclosed in which the cavity of one or more of the lasers is dithered, by using a piezoelectric element. A Fabry-Perot etalon is used to generate a sequence of timing pulses used in conjunction with a laser beam produced by the laser having the dithered laser cavity. A correlator correlates a laser pulse from one of the lasers with the sequence of timing pulses to produce a calibrated time scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: IMRA America, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregg D. Sucha, Martin E. Fermann, Donald J. Harter
  • Patent number: 8259770
    Abstract: Electrophotographic print system, comprising a photosensitive medium, and a laser array being provided with a plurality of laser diodes arranged to emit light onto the photosensitive medium for varying an electrical potential on a surface of the photosensitive medium, and a plurality of heat dissipation diodes, each heat dissipation diode being arranged in proximity to a corresponding laser diode, wherein each laser diode and the corresponding heat dissipation diode are coupled to a common drive circuit and are arranged in opposite current flow directions with respect to each other, so that in use the current flows either through the laser diode or through the heat dissipation diode depending on the current flow direction in the drive circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Indigo B.V.
    Inventors: Boaz Tagansky, Michael Plotkin, Craig Breen
  • Patent number: 8259765
    Abstract: 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 stabilize 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 stabilized 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: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Giacomo Antonio Rossi, Marco De Donno, Paolo Zago
  • Patent number: 8259385
    Abstract: A method for operating a wavelength-converted light source includes directing a pump beam having a fundamental wavelength from the laser source into an input facet of the wavelength conversion device such that a wavelength-converted output beam is emitted from an output facet of the wavelength conversion device in the field of view of an optical detector. A physical property of the wavelength conversion device is varied within individual ones of a succession of consecutive speckle reduction intervals having durations less than the integration time of the optical detector. The physical property of the wavelength conversion device is varied by an amount that is sufficient to change in a phase-matched (PM) wavelength of the wavelength conversion device. The fundamental wavelength of the pump beam is thereafter adjusted based on the change in the PM wavelength to maintain an efficiency of the wavelength conversion in the wavelength conversion device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Martin Hempstead, Rostislav Vatchev Roussev, David Lee Weidman
  • Patent number: 8259388
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an optical fiber amplifier capable of suppressing oscillation of ASE. The optical fiber amplifier includes a second amplifier fiber 30 doped with a rare earth element; a second pumping source 26 that supplies pump light to the second amplifier fiber 30; a storage unit 40 for storing a relationship between oscillation threshold pump power and temperature of the second amplifier fiber 30, the oscillation threshold pump power being power of the pump light which causes oscillation of ASE in a different wavelength range from a signal wavelength range produced by the second amplifier fiber 30; and a temperature controller 38 for controlling the temperature of the second amplifier fiber 30 so that the oscillation threshold pump power is higher than the power of the pump light outputted by the second pumping source 26, by referring to the relationship stored in the storage unit 40.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Fujikura Ltd.
    Inventor: Hidenori Miyauchi
  • Patent number: 8254422
    Abstract: A microheat exchanging assembly is configured to cool one or more heat generating devices, such as integrated circuits or laser diodes. The microheat exchanging assembly includes a first ceramic assembly thermally coupled to a first surface, and in cases, a second ceramic assembly thermally coupled to a second surface. The ceramic assembly includes one or more electrically and thermally conductive pads to be thermally coupled to a heat generating device, each conductive pad is electrically isolated from each other. The ceramic assembly includes a ceramic layer to provide this electrical isolation. A top surface and a bottom surface of the ceramic layer are each bonded to a conductive layer, such as copper, using an intermediate joining material. A brazing process is performed to bond the ceramic layer to the conductive layer via a joining layer. The joining layer is a composite of the joining material, the ceramic layer, and the conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Cooligy Inc.
    Inventors: Madhav Datta, Brandon Leong, Mark McMaster
  • Patent number: 8254421
    Abstract: A wavelength conversion laser light source includes a fundamental wave laser light source; a wavelength conversion element for converting a fundamental wave emitted from the fundamental wave laser light source into a harmonic wave; and an element temperature holding section for holding the wavelength conversion element at a temperature as set, wherein the element temperature holding section includes a magnetic metal formed on at least a part of the surface of the wavelength conversion element via an insulating material, and a magnetic flux application section for heating the magnetic metal with an application of a magnetic flux to the magnetic metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Furuya, Tetsuro Mizushima, Koichi Kusukame, Kenji Nakayama, Kazuhisa Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8242709
    Abstract: An optical transmitter includes a light-emitting device and an optical modulator that modulates light output from the light-emitting device by using an input signal. The optical transmitter includes a drive current switching controller that performs an ON/OFF switching control of a drive current of the light-emitting device, by using an ON/OFF signal as an input that controls ON/OFF of an optical output of the light-emitting device, in response to a switching of the ON/OFF signal. The optical transmitter also includes a drive current adjusting and generating unit that detects an ambient temperature, and generates a drive current that is adjusted according to the ambient temperature detected thereby. The drive current switching controller includes a differential circuit that is supplied a drive current that is generated by the drive current adjusting and generating unit and controls the drive current that is output to the light-emitting device, according to the ON/OFF signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Masamichi Nogami, Masaki Noda, Naoki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8243764
    Abstract: The invention relates to a laser system including a nonlinear crystal having a first length portion and a second length portion. The nonlinear crystal disposed to receive input light from the laser for converting the input light into frequency converted light; wherein the nonlinear crystal is configured so that the first length portion of the nonlinear crystal is phase matching for the input light and the frequency converted light, and the second length portion of the nonlinear crystal is phase mismatching for the input light and the frequency converted light. Phase mismatching means may include a temperature controlling board, a clamp, or electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Inventors: Derek A. Tucker, Dahv Kliner, Lawrence E. Myers, Martin H. Muendel
  • Patent number: 8243766
    Abstract: A laser diode system is disclosed in which a substrate made of a semiconductor material containing laser diodes is bonded to a substrate made from a metallic material without the use of any intermediate joining or soldering layers between the two substrates. The metal substrate acts as an electrode and/or heat sink for the laser diode semiconductor substrate. Microchannels may be included in the metal substrate to allow coolant fluid to pass through, thereby facilitating the removal of heat from the laser diode substrate. A second metal substrate including cooling fluid microchannels may also be bonded to the laser diode substrate to provide greater heat transfer from the laser diode substrate. The bonding of the substrates at low temperatures, combined with modifications to the substrate surfaces, enables the realization of a low electrical resistance interface and a low thermal resistance interface between the bonded substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Inventors: Michael Huff, Jonah Jacob
  • Patent number: 8238391
    Abstract: This invention provides a p-type group III nitride semiconductor, with good p-type properties, having a composition expressed by AlXGaYInZN in which each of X, Y and Z indicates a rational number satisfying a relationship of X+Y+Z=1.0, even if Al content is as high as 1.0>X?0.5. It is achieved that a proportion of a hole concentration at 30° C. to an acceptor impurity atom concentration is 0.001 or more in the p-type group III nitride semiconductor of the invention, by doping acceptor impurity atoms such as Mg in concentration of 5×1018 to 1×1020 cm?3 using the method, for example, MOCVD with attention not to incorporate an impurity atom other than the acceptor impurity atom or not to form dislocation in the crystal when producing the group III nitride semiconductor expressed by the above composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Tokuyama Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Kinoshita, Hiroyuki Yanagi, Kazuya Takada
  • Patent number: 8238392
    Abstract: A temperature controller for a gas laser which controls temperatures of a plurality of temperature-controlled apparatuses including a first temperature-controlled portion requiring a high-precision temperature-control and a second temperature-controlled portion requiring a low-precision temperature-control as compared with the first temperature-controlled portion and allowing a temperature-control with a low or high temperature as compared with the first temperature-controlled portion, comprises a first temperature control portion generating a cooling agent or a heating agent for adjusting a temperature of each first temperature-controlled portion, a second temperature control portion generating a cooling agent or a heating agent for adjusting a temperature of each second temperature-controlled portion, a first piping system connecting the first temperature control portion and each first temperature-controlled portion in parallel, and a second piping system connecting the second temperature control portion an
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Gigaphoton Inc.
    Inventors: Yukio Watanabe, Hideyuki Hayashi, Kouji Kakizaki, Michio Shinozaki, Hideo Hoshino
  • Patent number: 8238401
    Abstract: An apparatus that includes a first diode laser and a silicon-based support structure is provided. The first diode laser is configured to emit a first laser beam when powered. The support structure includes a silicon-based support plate, a silicon-based first fin structure, and a silicon-based second fin structure. The support plate has a first primary surface and a second primary surface opposite the first primary surface. The first fin structure has a first primary surface, a second primary surface opposite the first primary surface, and a plurality of edges between the first and the second primary surfaces including a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge. The first fin structure is physically coupled to the support plate with the first edge of the first fin structure attached to the first primary surface of the support plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Inventor: Gerald Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 8238015
    Abstract: A method comprising generating an optical beam with a laser, filtering the optical beam to select a desired wavelength with an etalon positioned in a path of the optical beam, heating the etalon to an operational temperature using a heater, monitoring the operational temperature of the etalon with a resistive thermal device disposed in or on a thermally conductive frame bonded to the etalon, and applying feedback control of the heater based on the monitoring to select the desired wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Emcore Corporation
    Inventors: Marc Finot, Mark McDonald, Andrew Daiber
  • Patent number: 8233512
    Abstract: A heat sink is made of a material excellent in thermal conductivity and is mounted on a stem; a sub-mount substrate is made of a material excellent in insulation property and is mounted on the heat sink; a first lead frame made of a material excellent in electric conductivity and thermal conductivity and having a linear expansion coefficient similar to that of a semiconductor laser array, is mounted on the sub-mount substrate, having the semiconductor laser array mounted thereon, and composing a power feeding path of the semiconductor laser array; a second lead frame made of a material excellent in electric conductivity and thermal conductivity, is arranged on the sub-mount substrate side by side with the first lead frame, and composing the power feeding path of the semiconductor laser array; and a wire electrically bonds the semiconductor laser array and the second lead frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Motoaki Tamaya, Keiichi Fukuda, Shinichi Oe, Chise Nanba, Akira Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8218591
    Abstract: An LD with an improved heat dissipating function in the edge regions is disclosed. The LD provides the core region including the active layer and extending whole of the substrate, and the ridge waveguide structure on the core region that extends in a direction along which the light generated in the active layer is guided. The ridge waveguide structure is buried by a thick resin layer in both sides thereof, but the resin layer is removed in the edge regions close to respective facets of the LD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Onishi, Hideki Yagi
  • Patent number: 8218590
    Abstract: Designs and processes for thermally stabilizing a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (vcsel) in a chip-scale atomic clock are provided. In one embodiment, a Chip-Scale Atomic Clock includes: a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (vcsel); a heater block coupled to a base of the vcsel; a photo detector; a vapor cell, wherein the vapor cell includes a chamber that defines at least part of an optical path for laser light between the vcsel and the photo detector; and an iso-thermal cage surrounding the vcsel on all sides, the iso-thermal cage coupled to the heater block via a thermally conductive path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel W. Youngner, Son T. Lu, Jeff A. Ridley, Linda J. Forner
  • Patent number: 8213472
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optical transmission module in which effects of conductive heat from sides of a metal case upon a thermistor are reduced, thereby allowing steady optical beam wavelengths to be obtained over a wide range of temperatures, regardless of the temperature of the usage environment. Specifically, the optical transmission module includes Peltier elements disposed inside a metal case, a metal base disposed upon the Peltier elements, a laser diode substrate disposed upon the metal base, a laser diode disposed upon the laser diode substrate, a thermistor substrate disposed upon the metal base, a thermistor disposed upon the thermistor substrate, and a thermally conductive member, disposed in the vicinity of the thermistor, that has a height greater than the height of the thermistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Opnext Japan, Inc.
    Inventors: Masahiro Hirai, Takeshi Yamashita, Hideyuki Kuwano
  • Publication number: 20120163405
    Abstract: A coherent light source having a semiconductor laser resonator and an optical amplifier which amplifies coherent light emitted by the semiconductor laser resonator in response to current injection, in which the amount of current injected into the semiconductor laser is controlled for conformity with a chirp requirement of an optical communication system. The optical amplifier, which introduces no chirp, may be controlled to match an optical power requirement of the optical communication system. A heater may be provided to introduce a low frequency chirp in order to suppress interferometric intensity noise and unwanted second-order effects such as stimulated Brillouin Scattering. The optical amplifier may be monolithically formed with the semiconductor laser resonator, with separate electrodes provided for injecting current into the semiconductor laser resonator and the optical amplifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: Emcore Corporation
    Inventors: Hui Su, Genzao Zhang, Henry A. Blauvelt
  • Patent number: 8208814
    Abstract: An optical transceiver calibration system and manufacturing method to fabricate a dual closed loop control transceiver are provided. The calibration system and method includes measuring an operating temperature and determining operational parameters based upon the operating temperature. The operational parameters may include, for example, a target power for transmitting a digital one, a target power for transmitting a digital zero, a modulation current, and a bias current. A bias may be added to the temperature to account for the difference between the temperature at the temperature sensor and the optical equipment. The operational parameters are preferably calculated independently of each other and are used as initial values during operating modes and allow the control loop to converge more quickly. The optics data is may be scanned electronically via bar code or some other electronic format prior to test. The software residing on the module then calibrates and configures the transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: IPhotonixs, LLC
    Inventors: Samir Sheth, Andy James Filtness
  • Patent number: 8208509
    Abstract: A laser diode package assembly includes a reservoir filled with a fusible metal in close proximity to a laser diode. The fusible metal absorbs heat from the laser diode and undergoes a phase change from solid to liquid during the operation of the laser. The metal absorbs heat during the phase transition. Once the laser diode is turned off, the liquid metal cools off and resolidifies. The reservoir is designed such that that the liquid metal does not leave the reservoir even when in liquid state. The laser diode assembly further includes a lid with one or more fin structures that extend into the reservoir and are in contact with the metal in the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Deri, Jack Kotovsky, Christopher M. Spadaccini
  • Patent number: 8208507
    Abstract: A closed loop system for controlling laser temperature without the need for additional sensors or other hardware. Embodiments utilize an existing automatic power feedback loop and existing sensors to determine the temperature of a TOSA based on changes in laser bias current, thus avoiding the need for the additional hardware. The automatic power feedback loop will modify the laser bias current as the temperature of the TOSA changes. That is, as the temperature increases, the amount of laser bias current is increased and as the temperature decreases, the amount of laser bias current is decreased. Thus, the laser bias current may be used as feedback for the laser temperature control. Accordingly, when the transceiver module drops below a predetermined temperature, a laser heater current may be controlled to thereby maintain the same laser bias current as at the preset temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Finisar Corporation
    Inventors: Victor Jacob Lerner, Charles Steven Joiner, YongShan Zhang
  • Patent number: 8208508
    Abstract: A laser diode package assembly includes a reservoir filled with a fusible metal in close proximity to a laser diode. The fusible metal absorbs heat from the laser diode and undergoes a phase change from solid to liquid during the operation of the laser. The metal absorbs heat during the phase transition. Once the laser diode is turned off, the liquid metal cools off and resolidifies. The reservoir is designed such that that the liquid metal does not leave the reservoir even when in liquid state. The laser diode assembly further includes a lid with one or more fin structures that extend into the reservoir and are in contact with the metal in the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Deri, Jack Kotovsky, Christopher M. Spadaccini
  • Publication number: 20120147913
    Abstract: A method for preparing a surface of a YAG crystal for thermal bonding includes performing an ion implantation process to introduce nitrogen into a surface layer of the YAG crystal to replace depleted oxygen therein, to change surface energy of the surface layer of the YAG crystal and to provide desired bonding characteristics for the surface layer; and joining the ion implanted surface layer with a thermal management device configured to dissipate heat from the YAG crystal. Also, a micro-chip device having a YAG crystal whose surface is prepared with the above disclosed method is provided and a device for forming a metallization pattern on a surface of the YAG crystal is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventor: Michael USHINSKY
  • Patent number: 8199786
    Abstract: A laser diode structure for generating a collimated or divergent laser beam, preferably for application in gas detection, with a laser diode arranged in a closed housing, with the housing comprising a housing bottom, an exit window, electrical connections, a temperature control device for the laser diode, and an optical element for influencing the laser beam. The temperature control device carrying the laser diode is arranged on the housing bottom and the optical element is positioned at a distance from the laser diode. The invention proposes an electrically controllable power device for the cyclic alteration of the position and/or alignment of the optical element in relation to the laser diode so that the optical path length for the laser beam in the housing changes periodically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Leister Technologies AG
    Inventors: Mathieu Gaillard, Bert Willing, Stefan Manzeneder
  • Patent number: 8199396
    Abstract: A laser light source includes a semiconductor laser, a wavelength converting element made of a non-linear optical crystal for converting excitation light from the semiconductor laser into wavelength converted light having a wavelength different from the wavelength of the excitation light, a photodiode for measuring a part of the wavelength converted light to be emitted from the wavelength converting element as output light, a photodiode for measuring the excitation light to be emitted from the wavelength converting element, and a control circuit, wherein the control circuit simultaneously performs an output constant control of making the intensity of the wavelength converted light constant, using a current driving circuit, and a temperature control of adjusting the temperature of the wavelength converting element, using a heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Koichi Kusukame, Hiroyuki Furuya, Tetsuro Mizushima, Kazuhisa Yamamoto, Shinichi Kadowaki
  • Patent number: 8199785
    Abstract: Thermal chirp compensation in a chirp managed laser. In one example embodiment, a method for thermal chirp compensation in a chirp managed laser (CML) includes several acts. First, a first bias condition and temperature is selected. Next, a first thermal chirp compensation signal is generated. Then, the laser is driven by biasing a first input drive signal with the first thermal chirp compensation signal. Next, a second bias condition and temperature is selected. Then, a second thermal chirp compensation signal is generated. Finally, the laser is driven by biasing a second input drive signal with the second thermal chirp compensation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Finisar Corporation
    Inventors: Xueyan Zheng, Jianying Zhou, Vincent Bu, Daniel Mahgerefteh
  • Patent number: 8199405
    Abstract: A tactical radiating device for directed energy includes at least two generators of high energy directed beams. At least one beam combining system combines high energy directed beams emitted by the generators into a combined high energy beam. A focusing device focuses the combined high energy beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: LFK-Lenkflugkoerpersysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Geidek, Norbert Nissl, Rudolf Protz, Juergen Zoz
  • Patent number: 8199787
    Abstract: A laser diode package assembly includes a reservoir filled with a fusible metal in close proximity to a laser diode. The fusible metal absorbs heat from the laser diode and undergoes a phase change from solid to liquid during the operation of the laser. The metal absorbs heat during the phase transition. Once the laser diode is turned off, the liquid metal cools off and resolidifies. The reservoir is designed such that that the liquid metal does not leave the reservoir even when in liquid state. The laser diode assembly further includes a lid with one or more fin structures that extend into the reservoir and are in contact with the metal in the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Deri, Jack Kotovsky, Christopher M. Spadaccini
  • Patent number: 8189630
    Abstract: A highly portable, high-powered infrared laser source is produced by intermittent operation of a quantum cascade laser power regulated to a predetermined operating range that permits passive cooling. The regulation process may boost battery voltage allowing the use of a more compact, low-voltage batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Daylight Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Rob Marsland, Jr., Timothy Day
  • Patent number: 8186892
    Abstract: Optical subassemblies including integral thermoelectric cooler (TEC) drivers. In one example embodiment, an optical subassembly includes a thermoelectric cooler (TEC) driver, a first substrate to which the TEC driver is structurally mounted, a second substrate, a laser temperature sensor structurally mounted on the second substrate, a TEC thermally coupled to the second substrate, and a thermal resistance mechanism including a thermally insulating material. The laser temperature sensor is structurally coupled directly between a laser and the second substrate with the laser being in direct contact with the laser temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Finisar Corporation
    Inventors: Lucy G. Hosking, Henry Daghighian
  • Publication number: 20120120975
    Abstract: A side-pumped, diode-pumped solid-state laser cavity includes a conductively cooled housing having an opening for pump radiation from a diode array in close proximity to a laser rod. The pump light is absorbed by the rod and excites the laser ions. The cavity includes a thin, diffuse reflector encircling the rod, having a shaped opening for the collection and redirection of the pump light into the rod, and a good heat conductor as the heat sink and heat conductor. A split heat sink inhibits the flow of heat from the pump diodes into the laser rod, and pre-formed air spacings are designed to provide uniform temperature distribution around the laser rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: Ram ORON, Doron NEVO, Moshe ORON
  • Publication number: 20120120974
    Abstract: A system and method of operating a high repetition rate gas discharge laser system. The system includes a gas discharge chamber having a hot chamber output window heated by the operation of the gas discharge laser chamber, an output laser light pulse beam path enclosure downstream of the hot chamber window and comprising an ambient temperature window, a cooling mechanism cooling the beam path enclosure intermediate the output window and the ambient window. The gas discharge chamber can include a longitudinally and axially compliant ground rod, including a first end connected to a first chamber wall, a second end connected to a second chamber wall, the second chamber wall opposite the first chamber wall and a first portion formed into a helical spring, the ground rod providing mechanical support for a preionizer tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: Richard C. Ujazdowski, Richard M. Ness, J. Martin Algots, Vladimir B. Fleurov, Frederick A. Palenschat, Walter D. Gillespie, Bryan G. Moosman, Thomas D. Steiger, Brett D. Smith, Thomas E. McKelvey
  • Publication number: 20120120976
    Abstract: An optoelectronic (OE) package or system and method for fabrication is disclosed which includes a silicon layer with a wiring layer. The silicon layer has an optical via for allowing light to pass therethrough. An optical coupling layer is bonded to the silicon layer, and the optical coupling layer includes a plurality of microlenses for focusing and or collimating the light through the optical via. One or more first OE elements are coupled to the silicon layer and electrically communicating with the wiring. At least one of the first OE elements positioned in optical alignment with the optical via for receiving the light. A second OE element embedded within the wiring layer. A carrier may be interposed between electrical interconnect elements and positioned between the wiring layer and a circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Russell A. Budd, Paul Fortier, Frank R. Libsch
  • Patent number: 8179936
    Abstract: A gas-cooled laser device includes heat dissipative components, and housing walls made of a heat conducting material, in which one or more of the housing walls are provided with ventilation channels. At least one heat dissipative component is mounted on a plate of a heat conducting material, and the heat conducting plate is connected in a thermally conducting manner with the at least one housing wall that is provided with ventilation channels. The heat dissipative components can include heat dissipative optical components and heat dissipative non-optical components that are respectively arranged on different sides of the plate or are respectively arranged in different compartments on one side of the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Trumpf Laser Marking Systems AG
    Inventors: Dirk Bueche, Hagen Zimer, Carsten Ziolek
  • Patent number: 8179935
    Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a substrate comprising a layer of thermally insulating material disposed thereon; an optical resonator disposed on the layer of thermally insulating material; and a trench in the thermally insulating material disposed around at least a portion of the optical resonator. The optical resonator is substantially thermally isolated from the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Charles Santori, Duncan Stewart, Robert G Walmsley, Sagi Mathai, Marco Fiorentino, David Fattal, Qianfan Xu, Raymond Beausoleil
  • Patent number: 8179930
    Abstract: A wavelength tuneable external-cavity laser module comprises a gain medium in thermal contact with a thermally stabilized substrate; an end mirror, and a phase element for controlling the phase of the optical beam and being positioned within the external cavity between the gain medium and the end mirror, wherein said phase element comprises a material having a refractive index that varies in response to changes in temperature and has a transmissivity substantially independent of wavelength across said predetermined wavelength range. The thermally-controllable phase element is configured so as to induce a phase variation that compensates the drop in the output power due to ageing or to external temperature variation. A heating element is placed in thermal contact to the phase element. By thermally controlling an intra-cavity phase element it is possible to vary continuously the output power as a function of the injection current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Maurizio Musio, Giacomo Antonio Rossi, Attilio Braghieri, Marcello Tienforti
  • Patent number: 8170073
    Abstract: A semiconductor gain-structure functions as a gain-element in a laser-resonator. The gain-structure is bonded to a diamond heat-spreader that is peripherally cooled by a heat-sink configured to allow access to the gain-structure by laser-radiation circulating in the laser-resonator. In one example, the gain-structure is used as a transmissive gain-structure in a traveling-wave ring-resonator. In another example, the gain-structure surmounts mirror-structure which functions as an end-mirror of a standing-wave laser-resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Coherent, Inc.
    Inventors: Sergei V. Govorkov, R. Russel Austin
  • Publication number: 20120093184
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates adjusting the wavelengths of lasers via temperature control. This system includes a chip with an active face upon which active circuitry and signal pads reside. A thermal-control mechanism provides localized thermal control of two lasers mounted upon the active face of the chip. By individually controlling the temperature of the lasers, the thermal-control mechanism controls the wavelengths emitted by each respective laser. By creating a temperature gradient that causes a temperature difference between two or more lasers, the system can cause the lasers to emit different wavelengths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: ORACLE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ashok V. Krishnamoorthy, John E. Cunningham, Bruce M. Guenin, Howard L. Davidson
  • Patent number: 8160115
    Abstract: It is demonstrated that substantial operating-parameter-dependent temperature-differences can exist between diode-laser bars in pulsed operation of a stack of such bars arranged to provide a two-dimensional array of diode-laser emitters. These differences can produce distortion of the aggregate output spectrum of the stack. By selecting particular nominal emitting wavelengths of the diode-laser bars for specific positions in the stack, the aggregate emission-spectrum can be tailored to a desired shape for one or more sets of operating parameters of the stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Coherent, Inc.
    Inventor: David Schleuning
  • Publication number: 20120087384
    Abstract: There is disclosed an electronic apparatus comprising a chip within a casing. A thermoelectric cooler has thermal connections to the chip and the casing and is configured to transport heat from the chip to the casing. A temperature measuring device is provided for determining the temperature of the chip. A control system is configured to maintain the chip at a target temperature by controlling current supplied to the thermoelectric cooler in response to the measured temperature. A temperature selection system is configured to select the chip target temperature dynamically on the basis of the casing temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventors: Nadhum Kadhum ZAYER, Jonathan Stuart Drake
  • Publication number: 20120087385
    Abstract: An infrared flare includes at least one diode laser configured to emit radiation in a near-infrared spectrum and an optical system configured to transform the radiation output from the at least one diode laser. Each of the at least one diode lasers are coupled to a laser mount. The infrared flare further includes a thermal management system configured to absorb waste heat generated by the at least one diode laser. The thermal management system is configured to maintain the laser mount at or below 60° C. during operation of the infrared flare.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventors: David B. Oakes, Kristin L. Galbally-Kinney, Richard T. Wainner, William J. Kessler
  • Patent number: 8154728
    Abstract: Thermally controlled enclosures that can be used with gas analyzers are described. The enclosures incorporate one or more phase changing materials that buffer ambient and internal heat loads to reduce the power consumption demand of mechanical or electronic heating apparatus. Maintenance of gas analyzer equipment at a consistent temperature can be important to achieving stable and reproducible results. Related systems, apparatus, methods, and/or articles are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: SpectraSensors, Inc.
    Inventors: Xuejiao Hu, Alfred Feitisch
  • Patent number: 8149890
    Abstract: Provided is a multiple distributed feedback laser device which includes a first distributed feedback region, a modulation region, a second distributed feedback region, and an amplification region. An active layer is disposed on the substrate of the first distributed feedback region, the modulation region, the second distributed feedback region, and the amplification region. A first diffraction grating is disposed in the first distributed feedback region to be coupled to the active layer in the first distributed feedback region. A second diffraction grating is disposed in the second distributed feedback region to be coupled to the active layer in the second distributed feedback region. The multiple distributed feedback laser device further includes a first micro heater configured to supply heat to the first diffraction grating and a second micro heater configured to supply heat to the second diffraction grating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Kyung Hyun Park, Namje Kim, Young Ahn Leem, Sang-Pil Han, Hyunsung Ko, Chul-Wook Lee, Dong-Hun Lee, Jaeheon Shin, Eundeok Sim, Yongsoon Baek
  • Patent number: 8145067
    Abstract: An optical transmitter includes a light source that outputs light superposed with a pilot signal having a predetermined frequency; an optical modulating unit that modulates the light from the light source according to an input electric signal; a detecting unit that detects a high-output-side maximum value of signal light output from the optical modulating unit, a fluctuation width of the high-output-side maximum value, and a fluctuation width of a low-output-side minimum value; a bias-potential adjusting unit that adjusts a bias potential of an electric signal to be input to the optical modulating unit based on the detected maximum value; and an amplitude adjusting unit that adjusts an amplitude of the electric signal to be input to the optical modulating unit based on the fluctuation width of the high-output-side maximum value and the fluctuation width of the low-output-side minimum value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Akira Nagayama, Kazuyoshi Shimizu